Joy's Updates - Straight from the Horse's Mouth.

Moved

2008-08-09T21:41:00.004-05:00

Moved

I like the new blog and how much easier it is to navigate that template, so that's where I'll stay. That's my blog now so please go to Babble On to read my posts. Thanks!

This one will still be here for the archives. I've had it since 2002 and will miss it.

New Location

2008-08-03T18:45:00.002-05:00

New Location

I made a new blog and am trying it out. Come see me here: Babble On. I wrote about HGTV's Design Star.

I'm leaning toward posting there from now on because the new templates are easier to work with. What do you think?

Melissa's Art

2008-08-02T22:02:00.020-05:00

Melissa's Art

My daughter-in-law Melissa is an artist who has illustrated book covers and books and specializes in fantasy art. Here are some of her paintings that I'd like for you to see. If you want to see more, check out her website. And she's a wonderful wife to my son Brian and mother to their son Brendan. I'm a big fan of hers!!

The Astronomer
Hebrew Punk (book cover)

Unicorn Vale
Cold Water

Guardian at the Threshold
Ring Around the Moon

Tree Goddess
Sky Explorer

Maiden of the Mountains

XM

2008-08-02T22:02:00.002-05:00

XM RIP

My radio receiver for my XM subscription has sort of died. It only gets that preview station and has no display. It was doing fine and then not. I got online and reactivated it, but nothing changed. A friend said they don't last long and that she's been through three of them. Planned obsolesence is one thing, but this is ridiculous!

sleep

2008-08-02T10:39:00.002-05:00

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream ...

Yesterday wiped me out! I went back to bed around 1:30 and slept until 9:30 this morning after sleeping over four hours when I got home yesterday evening. I was always extremely tired after the first day and week when school started again in the fall, but this was exhausting after my life of retired leisure.

I had to get up early and spend all day in the classroom with students watching her teach, so I could offer suggestions. For those of you who have never tried it, teaching is a hard job. There are so many things to do at once and so much to pay attention to. It takes a while to find methods that work for you and to make it your own. So I was thinking about what she needed to do and all the things she was doing right and help her find that balance that allows her to teach and students to feel comfortable learning. After almost 40 years of teaching, so many things are second-nature, and I had to think about how to explain this to someone when I'd rather get up there and show her. That's the main thing with student teaching is that time with the supervising teacher to see how they teach, manage the classroom, motivate, discipline, manage time, give assignments, and on and on. Then they ease into it with supervision and are on their own eventually but still with that teacher to help them. I have to help her with this while she's on the job, and I want her to stay and continue to teach because I think she will be good at it.

Anyway, I'm still tired! What a wimp I am! I go back Monday and Tuesday to help her some more and hope I toughen up enough to stay awake a while after I get home.

BA

2008-08-02T10:27:00.004-05:00

BA

Thank goodness, I can get back on my blog! I was miserable being cut off from my blog friends and myself like that. My post was on there, but I couldn't get to it and my comments. Oh, the horror!!

Hello, my name is Joy, and I am a blog addict.

School

2008-08-02T00:35:00.003-05:00

School

I went to school today to observe, help, and mentor. It was good to see many people I used to work with, but I had to keep explaining why I was there and that I wasn't back to teach. It's so horribly hot and humid here now that when I got in the car to come home, it felt like a sweltering oven. I had to stop at Kroger to get some groceries and nearly burned up. When I got home, I put the cold things away, changed clothes, and went to sleep! I woke up around 7:00 in a panic thinking I'd overslept and would be late for school. Then with relief, I thought it was Saturday and felt better as I went back to sleep. When I woke up again after 9:00, I realized it was Friday night. I was exhausted!!! Now I'm going back to bed.

Problem: I cannot get on my own blog! What is going on? David Dust can't use his blog because Blogger is reviewing it for some reason. Now I can't get on mine.

Morning

2008-07-31T20:02:00.002-05:00

Morning Trauma for a Night Owl

I've been planning how late I can sleep tomorrow to give myself enough time to get to Creek Wood High School in the morning for mentor duty. Since I've been retired, I have reverted to my night owlish preference for staying up until 1:00 or 2:00 AM and sleeping until around 9:00 or so. I managed to be on a modified morning-person routine all those decades I taught school, even though I never went to bed before 11:00 unless I was really sleepy or sick. Then I'd get up as late as possible to still get to school on time, which was earlier all those years I took Brian to school on my way to mine.

So now I'll have to get up early, which will possibly get me on an earlier schedule, but I doubt it. Knowing me, I'll just get up the days I have to be there, much like the way I do when Mother has early-morning appointments and when she had surgery. She likes morning and prefers to be places as early as possible. When she worked at the post office and had to be there at 6:00 or 6:30 (somewhere in there), she never used an alarm clock since she naturally wakes up at 5:00. I don't have to set my alarm if I'm supposed to be somewhere at 10:00 or 11:00. Otherwise, it's required. Mother told me once I was missing the best part of the day and told me how pretty sunrises were, and I told her to tape it for me. I've seen sunrises and have been up that late several times.

What about you? Are you a night owl or a morning lark?

Project Runway

2008-07-31T19:58:00.002-05:00

Project Runway

If you watch Project Runway and haven't heard of David Dust, please go to his blog and read his recap of the show. He is hilarious and is becoming famous as a blogger of Bravo shows and HGTV's Design Star. When you read his recaps, you'll understand why.

Bernice

2008-07-31T19:17:00.006-05:00

Bernice

Now that I'm a senior citizen, I embrace my inner Bernice and feel even closer to her. I think I might be related to her husband. Notice the references to his being a "dancing fool" and having been a fire eater. Aha! Dancing Flame! Charlie was right. Here's what I found on the Designing Women website.

"The Little Fruitcake"

Bernice Clifton is the addled best friend of Suzanne and Julia's mother, Perky Sugarbaker. After Perky moves to Japan, the ladies look after the widow Mrs. Clifton at their mother's request. But keeping up with Bernice can be extremely difficult since she has an arterial flow problem above the neck that causes her to behave rather outrageously. Bernice sends the group health tips and enters everyone in contests. She's been known to phone Suzanne to say, "If you're not going to eat all the food in your refrigerator, why don't you just put it in a cab and send it over to me?" Bernice lives in a retirement community called Hillcrest Leisure Land, and, since she is easily bored there, makes frequent visits to Sugarbakers for the afternoon. After a while, the ladies become used to Bernice's eccentricities --- often delegating the responsibility of entertaining her to Anthony.

Bernice's late husband, Louis Clifton, came from a circus family where he was billed as a "dancing fool." One of Louis' uncles was a fire-eater, a talent he taught to Bernice. She has a charm-free niece named Phyllis McGuire and twin great-nephews, Nick and Dick --- though Bernice thinks both boys are named Dick. Her father was a Southern Baptist minister and when "all her circuits are burning," Bernice is a scripture authority.

Having never had any children, Bernice thinks of Anthony and the ladies of Sugarbakers as if they were her own. Her odd behavior drives Suzanne absolutely crazy, and she often refers to Bernice as a "little fruitcake." Anthony is the subject of her motherly attention --- and alternately her uninhibited lust. Actually, Bernice often implies that Anthony is hot for her --- along with many others with whom she claims to have had wild encounters. However, she has been known to claim Anthony as her illegitimate son and frequently breaks into a song of her own invention when Anthony is near --- "Black Man, Black Man." She also does not look favorably on any of his girlfriends --- commonly referring to them as she-beasts.

Bernice is very active, participating in senior citizen beauty contests and dance contests, but she has been known to loudly question the concept that growing old gives you a talent for arts and crafts. Therefore, Anthony ends up spending many afternoons shuttling Bernice around town as she tries to turn each trip away from the retirement village into a roller coaster of an event.

The most frequent guest star of the series, Alice Ghostley appears as Bernice in 45 episodes over the course of seven seasons, including two 2-part episodes. Though she is never a credited member of the cast, her frequent appearances outnumber those of series regulars Allison, B.J., and even the longer running Carlene. By Season Seven, Bernice appears in almost every episode.

This was one of my favorite scenes Bernice was in:

Bernice and Anthony enter Sugarbaker's with Bernice blowing a party horn.
BERNICE: Happy New Year!
JULIA: Well, Happy New Year, Bernice.
BERNICE: (blowing horn at Suzanne) Happy New Year, Suzanne.
SUZANNE: Happy New Year to you too, Bernice.....ya little fruitcake.
JULIA: Suzanne!!
SUZANNE: Oh, she knows I'm just kidding. She loves for me to call her that, don't you Bernice?
BERNICE: It's ok. I would mind though, for example, if we were at the White House.
SUZANNE: Ok, I'll remember that.
MARY JO: Bernice, why are you wearing your Christmas tree skirt?
BERNICE: Well, this is the skirt you gave me for Christmas.
MARY JO: Yes, I know. It's not to wear. It's a Christmas tree skirt. You're supposed to put it around the base of your Christmas tree.
BERNICE: Oh! Well no wonder. I like to never got this thing on. I finally just let the waist out and tied it with a belt.

Alice Ghostley was a wonderful Bernice.

Bernice

2008-07-30T23:55:00.003-05:00

Bernice Strikes Again!

Last night a little before midnight, Jackie called and asked if she could come over and sleep in my house because she thought someone had been in her brother's apartment where she was staying. I said, "Bless your heart. You must be desperate to want to sleep here!" She's seen my guest room, which is a candidate for Clean Sweep, just like the rest of my house. I asked her what made her think that, and she said the room where she'd been sleeping was locked and that it was open when she left. Then she said the mail was scattered on the table. She'd fallen asleep in the couch when she got home and then found the door locked when she wanted to go to bed.

I told her I'd come over to help her check to make sure things were OK. I didn't want her to feel scared there in the apartment and also wanted to save her from sleeping in clutter. When I went there, she got a butter knife to spring open the lock on the bedroom door. She opened it, and we stood back as she quickly turned on the light so we could peek in. No one there. Relief!

When we were in the living room, I asked her why she thought someone had gone through the mail, and she said because she wouldn't have left it that way since she's a stacker. Well, I went by there to pick her up to go to the gym and went in. She got a phone call from her brother in the hospital and went through the mail to let him know what he'd gotten. Then we went to the gym and out to eat. I told her since we were in a hurry to leave and she was telling John about the mail that I think she left it that way. She felt better.

Then she looked at me and asked what I thought we'd have done if someone had been in that room. I said we were well-armed with a butter knife. So we laughed for quite a while just thinking about it all. Then she said she'd never live this down, would she. Of course not!

Several of us planned to get together for lunch today, so when I talked with Tina this morning, she said she'd text Jackie to let her know where we'd meet since Jackie was at the hospital with her brother, and I had an appointment to get my hair cut. So I decided to text Jackie since I'd called her cell phone a few times to ask if she wanted to go to Creek Wood with me after lunch to talk with the teacher I'm mentoring since their backgrounds are so similar and got no answer. I also added, "Did anyone try to kill you last night?"

When we got to the restaurant, Jackie and Tina talked about texting each other. I told Jackie that she didn't answer my text. She said she didn't get one from me. So I got my cell phone out and showed her the number - which was her OLD number! I had her new cell number on my phone at home and didn't check them and don't remember numbers that well. Then we all laughed hysterically wondering who got that text message and what they must have thought. Do you think the FBI will come after me?

List

2008-07-30T09:40:00.002-05:00

List

Beth (aka TrannyBeth) posted a list on her blog of things she remembers from when she was a child and teenager. Since I'm much older than she is, I can remember much farther back. Go check it out and tell me things you remember. I'll add a list of mine later today.

The Little Engine Who Could

2008-07-29T23:41:00.006-05:00

The Little Engine Who Could

I drove Mother to her appointment this morning with her opthalmologist and then to breakfast for the last of the special July blueberry pancakes, eggs, and bacon at Cracker Barrel. We like those and have had them a couple of times this month. We also had a good visit, and Mother had a good report about her eyes after cataract and glaucoma surgery within the last several years.

My protégé called yesterday, and we had our first phone conversation. Then today I went to school and met with her. I'm impressed with her knowledge of math and philosophy of teaching. I hope she'll stay with teaching because we need good teachers. She might go to another system where she can make more money, which is a good reason we've lost many teachers. But that's another story!

I actually went to the gym!!! Jackie went with me, and got a deal to go for a week while she's here. This way we can work out, and she can go to the Zumba class. We were going to go to the one Vicki teaches, but it's on a carpeted concrete floor, which won't work for my knees and will probably cause some injuries. My gym has their class on a wooden floor, and the class is included in my gym membership. Jackie can go there to do whatever she wants and pay $25 for the week. So financially and physically Powerhouse Gym is a better idea. I am going to have to build up to Zumba and will join the class when I can. Today I did the treadmill and stationary bicycle and some of the machines. I like the elliptical but didn't do it today.

After our workout, Jackie and I ate at one of the Mexican restaurants. Then we went by the hospital to check on her brother. He is in a lot of pain after his back surgery but has good reports.

I'm planning to go back to the gym tomorrow. I can do it! I think I can! I think I can! (remember that book from childhood?)

Mentor

2008-07-27T21:19:00.006-05:00

Mentor

Janie Jones, principal of Creek Wood High School, called me last week to ask if I'd be interested in being a mentor for a new teacher who is a fellow in the Teach Tennessee program. This is a way for mid-career professionals to become teachers. Part of the requirement is to have a retired teacher as a mentor their first year. I'm supposed to meet with mine often during the first two weeks and to get most of the mentoring accomplished before Christmas break. She teaches algebra, and mostly what I'll help her with is classroom management, teaching strategies, and such as that. This will be interesting, and I hope I can help her. Based on the qualifications the fellows have, I'm sure she'll do a good job, and this is a good program that I'm glad we have.

I email weekly and monthly reports to the state coordinator and will let you know how it goes.

Design Star

2008-07-27T21:19:00.003-05:00

Design Star

Tonight's Design Star on HGTV was a touching act of generosity. Two families in New Orleans who lost everything when their homes were submerged during Katrina got a new kitchen, dining room and living room. Matt and Jennifer both did great jobs and did what the families wanted and pleased the judges, too. They are both such nice people and would host good shows. I hope Matt wins. David Dust interviewed him on the phone if you'd like to check it out on his newly-decorated blog.

The Week That Was

2008-07-27T20:48:00.000-05:00

The Week That Was

Let's see, what have I been doing since I last wrote. Monday was recovery day, and then Tuesday I went to Mother's for dinner with fresh vegetables that she cooks so well. We had a meeting to get ready for the next election. Since I retired, I've been working as a machine operator, which now mostly involves sending them to the voting machine. That first year we used them (and my first time on the job), we had to teach everyone how to use them. It took forever since it was a heated local election and also had pages of judges!

Jackie came to town last weekend to stay with her brother before, during, and after his back surgery he'll have tomorrow. We met downtown and went to several places on Main Street Wednesday afternoon. We ran into Vicki who told us about the Zumba classes that will be at Body & Soul. I went by to visit with Jackie and her brother Thursday afternoon, which was fun, and then Jackie and I went to see Mama Mia and then out to dinner. The movie was fun and entertaining. I never was an ABBA fan and had no idea they'd recorded all those songs. Meryl Streep was outstanding as always, and so were the fathers: Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård. Julie Walters and Christine Baranski were great as her old friends, and Amanda Seyfried was perfect as her daughter. Christine Baranski could definitely pull off her character as a cougar, too. Great cast and lots of fun! Did you see it? What did you think about it?

Tina, Hope, Jackie, and I met at House Blend Friday after school and had a good visit. Then Saturday night Paige, Jackie and I ate there for Jeremy and Holly Spencer's monthly dinners. They use locally-grown vegetables, fruit, and herbs. This is the third one they've done, and this makes my second one to attend. Both times the food was delicious and just right! Here's the menu for last night with an asterisk beside what I ordered. The choices were difficult because all of it looked wonderful.

STARTERS
Gazpacho with a wedge of sharp white cheddar
Okra pancakes with sliced home-grown tomatoes*

SALADS
Southern Summer Salad of field greens, crispy purple hull peas, pecans, white cheddar, and cornbread croutons in a sweet corn vinagrette*
Heirloom Tomatoes with house-made bleu cheese dressing

ENTREES
Provencal Veggie Pie - eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, portabella mushrooms, and red pepper with goat cheese under a polenta crust, served with a side of TN country ham
Chicken Boursin - chicken topped with roasted tomato and herb cheese, wrapped in puff-pastry and baked, accompanied by heirloom green beans
Beef Roast with Cherries - slow roasted with red onions in a sour cherry, red wine reduction and served with fresh-corn pudding*

DESSERT
Chocolate Cake layered with chocolate buttercream and fresh blueberries
Espresso Panna Cotta

I couldn't even think about dessert but know both of those would have been decadent and delicious. The meal and company were both wonderful. We got to stay and talk and enjoy the experience. I hope Holly and Jeremy continue to have these dinners every month. They are something special to look forward to. Their website has the menu for May when Tina and I went. We had to miss June because that's when we visited Jackie. Tina couldn't go this time because it was her son Matt's birthday, and her family celebrated it. I'm looking forward to the one in August.

Titles

2008-07-22T14:02:00.006-05:00

Speaking of Titles

I told you that the main word I've said in my life is "Oh," and here's another example of that. When Dances with Wolves first came out, I told Brian and the guy I was going with that I wanted to see Dances with Horses. They exchanged looks, so I knew something was amiss. They grinned at each other and then launched into asking if I wanted to see Silence of the Horses and all kinds of other titles with that substitution. I caught on.

Brian and I have had interesting discussions and debates over the years. One was about who was prettier Cybill Shepherd (Brian's choice) or Jaclyn Smith (mine). Another was the time I said I thought I was more like Mary Jo on Designing Women than Charlene as Brian said. One night when Brian was out of college and living in Nashville, I was watching the show. Bernice came into the office and announced to the women and Anthony, "I just saw that movie, I Danced with a Wolf! The phone rang, and I knew it would be Brian. It was, and he said, "Bernce! You're more like Bernice!" I have to admit that he has a point, even though I still maintain that basically my personality is more like Mary Jo's. It never ends! LOL

This photo is from my favorite episode - the one in which Gerald McRaney played a writer who composed the most wonderful descriptions of each of the women as only a Southerner could do it. I loved that show until Linda Bloodworth-Thompson screwed it up by causing problems with Delta Burke. It showed Southerners the way I know many of us are.

light bulbs

2008-07-22T14:00:00.002-05:00

Light Bulbs

This is interesting, and he makes a point about those CFLB's. What do you think?

British Music

2008-07-22T11:39:00.005-05:00

British Music

During the folk music revival in the sixties, I became interested in the Child Ballads which were collected by Francis J. Child in the late 19th century from England and Scotland. Joan Baez recorded many of them, and while reading about the songs, I wondered about them. I wish I'd had the internet then. Songs such as "Bonny Barbara Allen" and "The Maid of Fife" are examples of ballads that made their way to America. Child documented over 300 ballads.

Since I live in Tennessee which was settled by the English and Scots-Irish whose customs, food, and music were definitely influential, I've felt a kinship with the British. Most of my ancestors are English. Traditional Appalachain music had its roots in British ballads and became bluegrass music. That's the reason the Chieftains and American country/bluegrass/folk musicians communicate so well musically.

I was more into the Clancy Brothers and have many of their albums. Brendan loved them as a baby, and when he was barely talking would request certain songs for me to play on the CD. Since he's like me and doesn't necessarily use the correct titles but often a phrase from a song, I wouldn't know "Little Boy" was "Come Away, Joe" (excuse me, that's "Haul Away, Joe" - see what I mean?) even though I probably should have. He'd get upset with me and kept repeating "Little Boy! Little Boy!" until I found it on the CD. I bought him a DVD of a Clancy Brothers performance, and we'll sing "Wild Rover" together.

He likes the drinking songs! Or maybe that's partly my fault since I also sing "Show Me The Way To Go Home," "Mountain Dew," and "Away, Away with Rum" to and with him. We also sing "Tamborine Man," "Blowin' in the Wind," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," "Rehab," "Working on the Railroad," "Camptown Races," and all kinds of songs from various eras. Brian sings "Angel from Montgomery" and all kinds of other songs with him, and Melissa has many she sings and composes. Add all these to the songs on The Sound of Music, Hairspray, Singing in the Rain, and A Mighty Wind, and I'm not sure I've scratched the surface of Brendan's repertoire!

Weekend

2008-07-21T17:22:00.005-05:00

Brendan, Bluegrass, and Batman

I had a busy weekend. I met Brian in Bellevue to get Brendan for his overnight visit. Mother went with me, which helps so much. We enjoy him together, and she helps keep an eye on him. He is so quick and gets from one place to another extremely fast. I think he should run track.

Brendan's on a Chieftains kick now because of the DVD he's been watching about their concert at the Ryman in Nashville. They recorded Down the Old Plank Road in Nashville with various musicians, such as Emmylou Harris, John Haitt, Vince Gill, Allison Krauss, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, Bela Fleck, Jeff White, Tim O'Brien, Buddy and Julie Miller, Lyle Lovetty, Patty Griffin, the Del McCoury Band, Martina McBride, and Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.

It's an excellent DVD. This is what was written about it on the BMI site:

The Chieftains revisit Nashville to record with popular country and bluegrass artists and it is a sequel to their successful album recorded in 1992, Another Country. This album examines the "Green grass" connection to American Bluegrass music. The album was nominated for two grammys in the categories of Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Country Collaboration with Earl Scruggs. The album was nominated for an IBMA (International Bluegrass Musicians Association) award for best Recorded Event of the Year. The tracks trace how a number of Irish tracks became American yet still have a thread of its Irish heritage running through the piece. It is a solid album for any Chieftains or bluegrass fan.

Of course Brendan knows every song, which artist sings each one, the instruments everyone plays, and has memorized the introductions to the songs and wants me to be Derek Bell, who introduced himself as Derek "Ding-Dong" O'Bell. He'll go into the introductions and songs and then ask me to say his name and wiggle my fingers the way Bell did when he was introduced. If I don't say something in exactly the tonation and words they used, he corrects me and has me do it again - and again and again. Brian said he does this the way Kevin Smith directs. Yes, that goes with Asperger's. Maybe Kevin Smith has it, too.

So Brendan sang and performed on the car ride to Dickson. We stopped at Cracker Barrel to eat, and he spoke to all the waitresses by name since he read them on their "bibs" as he called their aprons. Makes sense. Then he'd have a conversation with them and told one that she was good at bringing the food. Nothing like a compliment or positive reinforcement, as we say in the ed biz.
He played for a while on the porch and chatted with more people. We went to Mother's for a while where he played and performed some more. He didn't go to sleep Saturday night until 9:45 and then woke up around 4:30 and wouldn't go back to sleep. Neither did I. Short night - long morning!

We met Brian and Melissa at Green Hills Theater along with my friend Linda. Brian and Brendan went to Whole Foods and other places while Linda, Melissa, and I saw The Dark Knight, which was wonderful. Christian Bale is my favorite Batman and plays him equally well as Batman and Bruce Wayne. He's so handsome and hot, too! Of course, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman were perfect in their roles, and the writing was excellent.
Then there was Heath Ledger's amazing portrayal of the Joker. All the praise about his performance is justified, and he probably will win an Oscar for it. His Joker is psychotic, intense, and terrifying. It was so sad watching him and knowing we will never see his talent again and that his daughter will never know him. It's tragic.

After the movie, we ate at a Vietnamese restaurant which was very good. I enjoyed the meal but especially the company. Melissa and I haven't had much time at all to visit and spend time with each other, so it was a treat to get to do that. We finished our day by going to McKay's and browsing through the stacks and buying a few things. We're going to plan more outings and find fun things to do.

I'll keep Brendan so they can see the movie together since Brian has been a major comic book aficianado for decades and even writes a blog about them. Check it out if you or someone you know is interested in comic books and graphic novels. Fortunately, he married someone who shares his interests. They are a perfect match and my role model for how to be a couple.

Friends

2008-07-19T03:13:00.002-05:00

Just Because

If there are one or more people on your friends list who make your world a better place just because they exist, and who you would not have met (in real life or not) without the Internet, then post this same sentence in your journal.

(Mike had this on his blog, so now it's on mine. There are quite a few of you who definitely make my world a much better place. Thanks for being there!)

Exploring Blogland

2008-07-18T16:48:00.002-05:00

Exploring Blogland

I decided to click "Next Blog" up there at the top and found some interesting places. Did you realize so many people all over the world have blogs on here? I wish I were multi-lingual, so I could read them.

Google/Blogger is making a ton of money. I'm not sure how, though, since the blogs are free, but somehow they do.

1. For example, what's this one all about? What language is it?

2. Isn't it beautiful here? But where? There was something about Kraków in the profile, so I'm guessing Poland.

3. Here's a blog in Portuguese for Tina. It's fancy.

4. I like his illustrations.

5. Someone is taking photos of Greek graffiti. It's everywhere! Apparently he is a photographer for National Geographic. This blog of his has many that are beautiful and so does this one. I saved these sites, so I can see more of his photographs. He has several blogs.

OK, enough of the tour. I looked at many and skimmed most of them.

Project Runway

2008-07-18T14:10:00.002-05:00

Project Runway

I don't know the designers well enough yet to decide who I like and want to win yet, but it was soooo good to have Project Runway back!

So You Think You Can Dance

Kherington and Gev are gone now. It's been interesting since they paired the dancers with different partners to see how they perform. My favorites are Katee and Josh or Will. I also like Courtney.

Useless Information

A pregnant goldfish is called a twit. Who knew?

Quote by Einstein

Computers are incredibly fast, accurate and stupid. Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant. Together they are powerful beyond imagination.

Charlie

2008-07-17T15:30:00.007-05:00

Charlie

I was worried about Charlie (Berry Blog) since his last email was Sunday evening. He mentioned that he was in so much pain that the only relief he could get was lying completely still. We're in touch every day, but I didn't think much about it Monday since he loves summer and being outside. His flowers are all blooming and beautiful, and he enjoys them so much. Well, when I got home yesterday, there was a message from Charlie on my phone. Thank goodness! He is in the hospital with excruciating pain, but they haven't found the cause. Their latest theory is that it's a muscle strain that can be treated with meds and physical therapy. I hope that's all it is. I was concerned and knew something was wrong or he'd have been in touch - especially after hearing about Mae.

I was going to call him if I hadn't heard anything when I got home and was so thankful for that message. I called him back and we talked a while. Get well, Charlie!

Update

I just talked to Charlie, who is still in the hospital. They finally diagnosed him with pancreatitis. They'd thought perhaps a kidney stone and other things but figured this out and have him on medication for it. It seemed to me that it couldn't have been a muscle strain for them to keep him in the hospital this long. It's miraculous enough that he got to stay this long the way insurance companies are. Maybe Medicare is better about that. I'll know before too long. Anyway, he sounded good and will be released tomorrow.

Pancreatitis can be serious and dangerous, so I'm glad they kept him in the hospital long enough to determine that's what it is and are treating it.

Charlie lives in Maine and retired from teaching last year. We've been good friends after meeting in the NEA section of AOL back in the early days. I think we've known each other for around 16 years or so. Several years ago I went to see him when I also visited friends in Andover, near Boston.

I'm glad he'll be back home to enjoy his flowers and the summer heat. He has friends and neighbors who will check on him. Be sure to leave him some comments here or on his blog!

Chicken Little

2008-07-17T10:27:00.004-05:00

Chicken Little

I'm sort of at loose ends today. I have things I need to do but can't seem to focus on them. I slept well last night which was great since I didn't the night before. I'm going out to run errands and will get that done.

Yesterday went well. Mother, Butch, Janelle, Brian, and I went to eat after the funeral and felt good being together. I drove Mother there and back and went through downtown Nashville and Highway 70, since Mother likes the scenic route.

I welclomed back Project Runway last night and was happy to see that again. PR and Dancing with the Stars are my favorites of all those shows and the only two I really don't want to miss. I will have to see Shear Genius, So You Think You Can Dance, Nashville Star, and Design Star through until the end this season.

They've added a new category to the Emmys - Best Host of a Reality/Competitive Show. Heidi Klum and Tom Bergeron are nominated along with Howie Mandel, Ryan Seacrest, and Jeff Probst. I think Tom Bergeron does a great job on DWTS and would get my vote. Heidi really helps make Project Runway and is my second choice.

How are all of you? What's going on?

Mae

2008-07-15T22:55:00.003-05:00

Visitation

Mother and I went to the funeral home for visitation this afternoon and evening. My cousins who are my age came early, and it was so good to see them. I was born in October, Donna in November, and Ellen in January and were thought of as a set by the other cousins. Some of those were there when we arrived - Sarah Ann and Celia, who are close to us, too.

Kathy came and spent the whole time there. It meant so much to me for her to be there. You know how that is, Beth. I cannot believe what a wonderful relationship we have and am thankful for it every day. Kathy and Brian talked a mile a minute to each other when he got there. She said she loved talking with him and could do it for hours. I'm thrilled about that, too. Brian knew about her since he was 14, and I had one of the sex talks with him. I was pointing out how once someone is pregnant, there are no good choices, and to prevent that from happening. Then I told him that he had a sister and how painful it was to give her up. It worked. He was always curious about her and hoped he would get to know her. Fortunately, she found me, and we are so close. She and Brian are, too. Wonderful, isn't it, Beth? :-)

Butch and Janelle, Andy, Angela, Carter, and Reese came and got to see Kathy, Brian, Melissa, and Brendan. Sally is holding up well and will get through this because that's what you have to do. Tomorrow will be much harder than today because it's the funeral. Losing Mae is almost as hard as it will be when it's Mother. I hope that is a long way off.

Thank you, Linda, for coming! It was good to see you, and I appreciate the plant.

Brendan asked me if he could wake Mae up. I wish he could.

Nashville Star

2008-07-14T21:01:00.002-05:00

Nashville Star

Thank goodness, the teenagers are gone! Laura & Sophie had the lowest votes and got called down for rolling their eyes last week when Jewel gave her critique. I was glad John Rich fussed at them about that. I hope Melissa Lawson wins. She and Gabe Garcia are the best contestants. Next week they perform orginal songs they wrote.

Mae

2008-07-14T07:23:00.004-05:00

Mae

Mother was the youngest of seven children with Aunt Sarah, Ellen's mother, the oldest by eighteen years. Mae was two years older than Mother, who just had her 88th birthday Saturday. Mae died this morning at 90 years old. They were extremely close, and our families did so many things together. Sally and I always felt that if anything happened to our parents that we had that special aunt and uncle who would take care of us. Mother and Mae grew up on a farm with the most wonderful parents/grandparents ever! Their older brothers and sisters were always there for them.

Mae and John were with us every Christmas all of my life, and when they had Sally, they all spent Christmas in Charlotte. That's how close we've always been. Sally is more like a sister than a cousin. Sally and Brian have always been close, too, and she's his godmother.

Mae's sense of humor brightened up any trip to their cabin on the river where we'd go several times a year. We called it "camp" and Daddy and John caught fish and we all swam and relaxed. I have so many wonderful memories of going there and of all the time I spent with Mae.

She was one of the top supervisors at the IRS regional office in Nashville and retired from there. Because of her, I worked there part-time one summer while I was in college, which helped so much with money for the next year. I could see first-hand how respected she was and what a good job she did. She was amazing in so many ways.

I can't describe how much Mae has always meant to me, and she meant even more to Mother. They loved each other unconditionally and could talk to each other about anything and everything. She will miss her so much. The world is less to me today without Mae in it. I miss her and love her and am so thankful she is my aunt.

Arrangements for Wilma Wright

Visitation from 2:00 until 7:00 Tuesday
Funeral at 2:00 Wednesday
Phillips Robinson Funeral Home
2707 Gallatin Pike
Nashville, TN

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

2008-07-13T19:00:00.003-05:00

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

60 Minutes did a follow-up piece tonight on gays in the military. You'd think this wouldn't be an issue now, but it still is. In the UK, they changed their policy and even provide married housing for gay partners. California Congressman Duncan Hunter, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, said, "We're not the Brits. We're not the Europeans. We're not the Swedes." No kidding!

An Air Force captain who is a lesbian resigned, so she could live openly and is now a commercial airline pilot. She mentioned how much it cost to train her and others and what a waste of money and training it is when they can't serve.

The same things were said about black people and women before they were allowed to serve anywhere in the military. Maybe as younger generations take over, things will change. I hope so. We need to get past all this. One of the soldiers said they are the "Will & Grace generation" and don't think as much about it. Based on things I heard some students say, it's improved but not there yet. We have a long way to go. That being said, I think it would help their cause if some of the participants in gay pride parades didn't get into the flamboyant exhibitionism that should be done in private. This article in The Onion expresses what I'm saying.

Don't Get Sick

60 Minutes also re-aired the piece about a Knoxville doctor (English by birth) who runs a free clinic for people who are the working poor with no health insurance or are under-insured with catastrophic insurance with huge deductibles. This doctor receives no salary and lives in an abandoned school house. People come from miles away to receive treatment. Volunteers help and supplies are donated. Since it first aired, $2 million have been donated to this program. No one should be without healthcare.

Capital Punishment

2008-07-13T14:49:00.011-05:00

Justice

On Word on Words this morning, John Seigenthaler's guest was the Reverend Joseph Ingle's book Last Rights. This is the description/review on Amazon about his book:

Reverend Joseph Ingle’s moving book argues eloquently and passionately against the death penalty, serving as an enduring testament to the inmates who have touched his life. Ingle, a counselor to prisoners on Death Row since 1974, chronicles his experiences working with 12 condemned men and one condemned woman each of whom has since been executed. For more than three decades, he has spread his anti-death penalty message across the country, doggedly referring to what the state calls “execution” as “killing.” A man of simple faith, Ingle refuses to see these inmates as anything less than human beings.

With a chapter devoted to each of the inmates, Ingle memorializes them without attempting to cleanse the record of their crimes. Instead, he emphasizes the necessity of viewing them as individuals: “The public needs to see them for who they were and how their love enriched my life,” Ingle writes. “To their memories and for those who loved them, I offer their stories to the world.” The powerful original foreword by the late William Styron is now preceded by a new introduction by M*A*S*H* star, turned-death-penalty-abolitionist, Mike Farrell.

Ingle spoke about one man with an IQ of 60 who didn't understand the concept of death and couldn't understand what they were doing to him when they prepared him to be electrocuted. He asked if after the execution he could order anything he wanted for breakfast the next morning. He asked what it meant to die and was told he would be with his grandmother who had passed on. That brought a smile to his face.

There was a time I was undecided about the death penalty. Now I'm against it. Since we don't have a perfect judicial system, there is no way this needs to be done. Innocent people have been put to death and mentally retarded and emotionally disturbed people have been executed. Most are poor. Other industrialized countries have abolished it. Yet here we are lagging behind as always, the way we do with healthcare. How did we get this way? Europeans and Canadians think we are barbaric. One thing is that our administration is motivated by greed and governs through fear. W had a record number of executions by the death penalty when he was governor of Texas. Here's a chart about capital punishment by state.

Use of the death penalty around the world (as of Sep. 2007).

Blue - Abolished for all offenses (92)

Lime Green - Abolished for all offenses except under special circumstances (10)

Orange - Retains, though not used for at least 10 years (32)

Purple - Retains death penalty (64)*

*Note that, while laws vary between U.S. states, it is considered retentionist because the federal death penalty is still in active use.

A-Rod

2008-07-13T14:38:00.004-05:00

Pouty A-Rod

I couldn't help it. I stole this photo from David Dust's blog. He thought it was mean that the Toronto Blue Jay fans heckled A-Rod about Madonna, but I think it's funny. I've never been a Madonna fan and don't like her smug, entitled, bossy attitude. Why some of these men get involved with her is a mystery to me.

Guess I'm on David's bad list now.

Zumba II

2008-07-11T20:50:00.004-05:00

Zumba, the Day After

For those of you who asked, zumba is another aerobic exercise that combines dancing and other movement. It's supposed to be done for an hour, but I can't last that long. I hope to eventually if my knees hold up. I've been OK today - not sore. My knees have noticed that I did something, but I hope they'll learn to adjust. All this was so much easier 20+ years ago! Oh well, I need to do what I can to keep myself verticle and need my bones and muscles to be able to hold me up.

Jackie does zumba at her gym in Pittsburgh and said it's a cult. They have classes at my gym (yes, my gym - I make montly contributions to it), but they are more advanced, and I can barely do the beginner class now. That's what the Gold means in Zumba Gold.

I found a video on YouTube about it. I think all of you should find a zumba class and jump right in! Then we can be in a cult together and compare notes.

Here's a report on the Today Show about it:

Here is one for you, David. Thought you might like the instructor. There might be Papis in the class and/or teaching it! Your gym probably has a class. Check it out!

Zumba

2008-07-10T21:07:00.003-05:00

Zumba

Because I went to my first Zumba Gold class for beginners, I'm a good tired tonight. Vicki did a good job teaching it and leading the group at Hope's house. Paige and I had to rest often. It's fun and hard because it lasts so long. Since I've barely moved for over five years, I had to soak in epsom salts, take Ionic Fizz and glucosamine, and put linament with emu oil on my knees and hips. I do think when I keep on with this, I'll be able to do more and more and have the use of my body again. Right now my activity level is just a few steps above coma. We're going back next week and will try again!

Grizzly Charlie

2008-07-09T15:37:00.002-05:00

Grizzly Charlie

Did any of you see Primetime: The Outsiders last night about Charlie Vandergaw in Alaska? He's seventy years old and a retired high school science teacher in Anchorage who goes to a cabin he built in the wilderness and lives with bears six months a year. He feeds them which is illegal and has befriended black bears and grizzlies. Here's a link to the story. Here's a review on someone's blog I've never read before and found interesting.

They mentioned Timothy Treadwell who is the guy who was killed by grizzlies when he and his girlfriend were in their tent. Vandergaw said that could happen to him but that Treadwell was in the bear's feeding path and got careless and maybe over-confident.

I hope things go well for this guy. Biologists and animal trainers were interviewed who gave him credit but expressed concern, too. I hope he gets to leave by his own choice and that the bears won't be too comfortable with people they need to fear. I also realize from living with a cat that sometimes even they will turn on you and attack if you pet them wrong or too long. The effects from a cat attack certainly don't compare with grizzlies, the most dangerous animals on the planet who weigh a ton. So far, so good, and I hope it stays that way.

Reality TV

2008-07-09T13:06:00.004-05:00

Too Much Reality

In typical TV mentality, if one of something works, let's do many of them! There are way too many competitions that are in the same format. I enjoy Dancing with the Stars and thought I'd try some others that aren't on Bravo. A little of these goes a long way.

On Bravo, the judges make the decisions about who stays and who goes. Their competitions are based on ability and not popularity with the audience who does not get to vote. We watch, blog, comment, and sometimes complain. I started watching Project Runway from the first season and was hooked. I also watch Top Chef and enjoy that one and then added Shear Genius and Top Design, which are OK but no comparison with Project Runway. Tim Gunn and the designers make that show, and the judges and Heidi Klum are a good mix and fun to watch. So that was my standard. The others I could miss except for Top Chef without a problem.

DWTS lets the judges votes count half which helps. That way it isn't based totally on the viewers' opinions but does let us get involved. So You Think You Can Dance has viewer votes but leaves the final decision each week to the judges. That might happen with some others, too.

The format for American Idol and it's copycats (for example, America's Got Talent) is for us to watch interminable auditions from the ridiculous to the talented. Then we finally get a group to compete. The judges comment on them and try to sway the viewers who then vote.

I've reached my saturation point for these shows after checking out some that friends watch and blog about. I'm going to have to stick to the ones I like and enjoy the fictional shows on my schedule, too. I've had too much of some of it, so if I watch again, I'll have to wait until the end and watch the best competitors. Parading all these people on stage and putting me through the agony is more than I can stand. I'll check in later if at all. I never watched American Idol except for the last few weeks a couple of times. I'm OK not knowing who they are.

Some of these I wonder who will win now and plan to continue, such as Nashville Star, Design Star, and So You Think You Can Dance. Anyway, the Olympics will be here before I know it and that will take all my attention. Project Runway begins next week along with Generation Kill. I have to do something else besides watch TV, read, and blog while I'm at home. I don't want to but need to.

End of rant. LOL

And I can't wait until Project Runway next week!!!

Dust Bowl

2008-07-08T20:15:00.004-05:00

The Dust Bowl

I started a war on David's blog by typing Roll Tide. I wasn't cheering for Alabama but offering support to a frequent commenter on David's blog, Mike, who is a former Alabama football player. David was upset because he went to Penn State and his Nittany Lions roared and raged. One thing lead to another and then Mike linked to a hateful cheer from Bama fans against Tennessee. The war began!

The amusing part of all this is that I'm not that much of a football fan, which is blasphemy in the South, especially coming from the daughter of Southern royalty. Yes, my father was a football jock, and my mother was a beauty queen. See what I mean? However, I inherited my father's looks and my mother's athletic ability, so I had to develop my own talents and abilities as well as a sense of humor. It worked out.

I grew up going to all the football games. For those of you who don't know, my family was like those 50's TV sitcom families - wholesome, functional, and healthy. We'd cook out on Friday nights often with friends from school invited over, and then go to the ballgames, home and away. It was more of a social event for me than any understanding of and love for the game. I don't like to miss out on much. I attended all kinds of games, track meets, and wrestling matches when I taught high school in support of students and for the social aspects. My son was in the band, so I went to all kinds of parades and football games then, too. I also went to the plays and band and choir concerts.

As for being a Vols fan, I was when I went there but even before graduation haven't followed their games. Now I barely know who the coach is and just about none of the players. Pat Summit is a different story, and I've been proud of her for a really long time. My brother is a big UT fan and so is my son-in-law. My nephew Andy played baseball and was a good pitcher. He's for Alabama and even named his dog Bama. His sister Amy is a Kentucky fan, so it's interesting in their house. My son and his wife graduated from Sewanee, the University of the South, which barely has a football team but good parties and an excellent liberal arts education.

I've always loved to read, and as a young girl, I played with dolls and paperdolls. All of us kids in the neighborhood always played outside and were active, so I had a balanced life. (unlike now when I have to force myself to go to the gym) I was in plays in high school and college and got a degree in English and history. I can discuss movies with the best of them and as we all know, I watch way too much TV. I'm not sure where this paragraph is going, so I'll just end it.

So even though I started the war, my heart wasn't in it. But I'm such a smartass that it's fun to keep things stirred up. For David, I'll just say that Penn State is the only team in the Big 10 Conference I could be for. And as for Mike ... War Eagles!! And GO VOLS!

Generation Kill

2008-07-08T13:14:00.003-05:00

Generation Kill

Hey, guys! The writer, producer, and military adviser (remember Erik?) are making the rounds promoting the series on HBO. Last night they were on Hardball with Chris Matthews. So start looking for them. Tina and I had lunch with the ones I just mentioned when we attended the screenwriting conference and watched a panel discussion. They've updated the website for Generation Kill with more information. It premieres this Sunday, July 13.

Nashville Star

2008-07-07T20:01:00.003-05:00

Nashville Star

Tonight on Nashville Star, Tommy Stanley and Melissa Lawson were called out of the group. Sailor Tommy was eliminated immediately and will return to his ship. One more will join him. Melissa will continue because she got the most votes. She's lost 70 pounds and is working out to lose more. She sang Loggins and Messina's "Danny's Song" really well. I'm so glad she's safe and wondered the same thing Jewel asked her about the commitment and sacrifices she'll have to make since she has a family (5 young sons). She said they'd been planning and working toward this. I wonder if she realizes how much she'll be away from her family if she gets a recording contract and tours. It's going to be hard.

The judges told Sophie & Laura that they are too young and need to go home and try again later. They don't think they are ready for what this business can do to people, and I think they are right.

Gabe Garcia was great! I really like him. Jewel mentors him and keeps pushing him to be more personable and flirt with the audience. He did that tonight and sang a Keith Urban song "Somebody Like You" really well. I don't know almost any Keith Urban songs but am happy about his and Nicole Kidman's baby daughter.

Shawn Mayer fired John Rich as her mentor and went with Jeffrey. Her song was "The First Cut is the Deepest" which she did well enough. Coffey sang "Proud Mary" and did better.

Ashlee Hewitt sang "Take the Money and Run" and was barefoot. She wasn't too comfortable singing that song but did a good job. I like her and hope she sticks around.

Pearl Heart sang "Ain't Going Down till the Sun Comes Up" which I'm not familiar with. I know the rock songs but not so many of the country ones. They said this one was recorded by Garth Brooks. Mostly I know "Friends in Low Places" by him. Jewel said they out performed, out practiced, and outworked Laura & Sophie. I liked this performance better than any they've done before, and they have had some good ones.

The other eliminated performer is Pearl Heart. The judges said they couldn't believe Pearl Heart was in the bottom two instead of Sophie & Laura. Jeffrey told them they know where his studio is and where to find him and that they'd be talking. So they have a chance even if not on this show.

Sophie & Laura should go next and then probably Shawn Mayer. The final two should be Melissa and Gabe.

What do you think, Cindy? I don't think anyone else who reads my blog watches this show, but if you do and want to comment, please feel free to do so!

Monday

2008-07-07T18:09:00.002-05:00

Strange Monday

Well, what an odd day this turned out to be. Tina couldn't go to see Sex & the City because she wasn't feeling good, so Linda and I decided to meet at the Bellevue 12 instead of Green Hills. We got there early, got our water, settled into our seats, and talked a while. The movie was supposed to start at 1:00, and I noticed there were no previews. They started them but with no sound and sort of messed up. At 1:15 I asked Linda wonder why they hadn't started the movie yet. About ten minutes later, the manager came out to let us know they couldn't show the movie because the sound wasn't working and gave us all readmission tickets. There weren't that many of us there, and we were all disappointed. So that was that. I still haven't seen it and have watched episodes of the series several times. I hope I get to see it before it leaves the theaters. We made plans to try again, so maybe this time Tina can go, too.

Sports

2008-07-07T00:01:00.004-05:00

Sports

I watched some of Wimbledon and the Olympic trials but haven't been home enough to see all I wanted to. I missed the women's finals but found out Venus won in the Williams sisters match. Sally had the men's finals on, which was exciting and close. It was great to see Bjorn Borg again and interesting to learn that it's been 25 years since he's been there as a spectator. Watching him play tennis was a highlight. When John McEnroe beat him and ended his 5-win streak was a sad day in tennis for many of us. Borg always had so much class and restraint. Federer does, too. He and Nadal played the most exciting and best game McEnroe said he'd ever seen.

How about Dara Torres! Her gold medal at 17 and qualifying for her 5th Olympics at 41! I wonder how it feels to be the best in the world at what you do? These athletes are amazing!

Busy

2008-07-06T23:43:00.002-05:00

Busy!

I worked at my very part-time job Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday and Saturday. I work at a vitamin & supplement store owned by a reflexologist and his wife now and then. I fill in sometimes when Zela needs some time off and about three times a year for weekends. They like for me to be there when they go out of town. In fact, when I first retired, I worked in June in a summer program for students who were making up courses they'd failed. My last day was Wednesday, and I worked Thursday through Saturday at Feet & More. I'd been going to Jim for reflexology for years, so when they asked what I was planning to do when I retired and I answered that I'd probably get a part-time job, they made me an offer. What I like to do is sell things to people who know what they want. I've learned quite a bit about what various supplements do but don't like to practice medicine and pharmacy without a license. Jim is an encyclopedia, but I'm a post-it note.

When I got there Saturday morning, twelve insects were lying on their backs on the floor. I looked online and can't find one that looks just like these but think they are some kind of beetle (maybe a tiger beetle). All but two of them were dead and those were not quite dead. I swept them out the door. They had shiny green bodies but weren't June bugs.

Mother and I went to eat Friday and did some running around. Then today we went to Murfreesboro to see my cousin Sally. We all went to the nursing home to visit Mae (Mother's 90 year old sister who is two years older than Mother). She was having a sleepy day and really didn't know we were there. We'll go again and hope she has a day like Sally said she had yesterday. The place is impressive - so clean, no nursing home smell at all and no smell at all really. The staff is good, and we all feel so good about her being there.

We stopped at a mall on our way home and bought some things on sale. They are now phasing out Hickory Hollow Mall, which disturbs me. I hate this. What happens to dead malls?

I'm finally going to see Sex and the City tomorrow.

Olympics

2008-07-04T00:20:00.002-05:00

Olympics
Anyone else besides me looking forward to the Olympics? I LOVE the Olympics, especially the stories about the athletes from all over the world. It's inspiring to see the best of the best competing in all those sports and knowing what sacrifices they've made to get there.

Graham Crackers

2008-07-02T18:24:00.003-05:00

If Only We'd Known ;-)

Who knew graham crackers could do so much! This article explains the claim that graham crackers were named for a man who believed unhealthy diet led to sexual excess.

The Reverend Sylvester Graham, a Presbyterian minister who became a social reformer and a ferocious advocate of healthful living, is the man who put the 'graham' into the treat we now know and love as graham crackers. Sylvester Graham (1794-1851) believed physical lust was harmful to the body and caused such dire maladies in the sexually overheated as pulmonary consumption, spinal diseases, epilepsy, and insanity, as well as such lesser ailments as headaches and indigestion. He also thought too much lust could result in the early death of offspring, who would have been conceived from weakened stock.

Graham believed a strict vegetarian diet would aid in suppressing carnal urges; to this end, he advocated a regimen devoid of meat and rich in fiber as a way of combating rampant desire. His famed "Graham bread" was fashioned from the coarsely ground wheat flour he espoused and came to bear his name.

The Reverend Sylvester Graham, an eccentric Presbyterian minister from Connecticut, promoted a strict, abstemious diet that won him countless converts during America's health craze of the 1820s and 1830s. Convinced that eating meat and fat leads to sinful sexual excess, the good reverend urged total vegetarianism. He also warned that mustard and ketchup cause insanity, urged followers to drink only water, and recommended sleeping with one's windows open regardless of the weather. More reasonably, he touted the merits of a high-fiber diet and promoted the use of homemade unsifted wheat flour instead of refined white flour.

Although Graham had his adherents during his lifetime, he was mostly regarded as a bit of a nut. Still, there were those who followed his recommendations and happily incarcerated themselves in "Graham boarding houses" in New York and Boston as part of the health craze he inspired. A high-fiber vegetarian diet wasn't the only thing he pushed; he was also strongly against the use of tobacco or alcohol and advocated fresh air, exercise, and a good night's sleep, all excellent components of a healthy lifestyle.

Who actually produced the first 'graham crackers' — so named because they were made of the unsifted wheat flour that Sylvester Graham promoted — is the subject of dispute. Some sources assert Graham himself invented the snack in 1829; others claim the graham cracker did not come into being until 1882, thirty-one years after Graham's death. (The latter date appears to be based on the year recipes for graham crackers started appearing in cookbooks.)

Many bakers tried to market the crackers, but it wasn't until 1898 that the National Biscuit Company (now Nabisco) made any real inroads into the market with their Nabisco Graham Crackers product. Nabisco achieved even greater success with their Honey Maid line, introduced in 1925, which boosted the original graham flavor through the addition of honey.

Today's graham crackers are made with bleached white flour, a deviation that would have set Sylvester Graham to spinning in his grave — he regarded refined flour as one of the world's great dietary evils.

Guess he'd really pitch a fit about s'mores!

Words

2008-07-01T23:28:00.002-05:00

Words

New catch phrases and words enter our vocabularies, and then we hear them over and over. The latest one I've noticed is brand - as in a political candidate's brand. It is used in the context of products and how they are advertised only about people. I'm already tired of hearing it.

I like and use catch phrases that become inside jokes and are shorthand when talking to friends.

What words, expressions, catch phrases do you like or hate?

Pralines

2008-07-01T20:46:00.003-05:00

Best Pralines Ever!

This place has the best pralines and other sinful candies I've ever had. I discovered it while walking down the sidewalk on Market Street in Charleston, SC, where we were tempted by the smells and samples of fresh, warm pralines. I'm thinking about all this because they sent me an email of specials, and I've decided to lose weight. That always makes me hungry for what I shouldn't eat.

My favorites are the glazed pecans, original and chocolate pralines, and bear claws. What are your favorite indulgences?

Nashville Star

2008-07-01T12:56:00.003-05:00

Nashville Star

Well, I cried most of the way through Nashville Star because they brought in the families of the competitors, so they could spend some time together. It was good to see their families, and of course I cried when they hugged and were so happy to see each other. Then they talked to the families. Melissa's husband has been taking care of their five children and supporting her dream. She's a good singer, and her husband deserves father and husband of the year! I also like Gabe Garcia. His dad died in October, and his mother, grandmother, and sister's family were there. Gabe should probably win this since he's authentically country and is relaxing and coming into his own as a performer. I hope he does, and I hope Melissa stays in until the final two. I'd like for either of them to win.

The judges made a good point about Coffey and Tommy sing pop more than country. These are tough judges who work with and mentor the contestants, but they are right. As they tell the singers, it's going to be tougher out there with audiences, record producers, radio stations, and all.

Alyson and Laura & Sophie were in the bottom two, and Alyson was sent home. John Rich said what I've been thinking about Laura & Sophie in that they are high school students who don't need to be in the business yet. He said the road and performing could mess them up and that other performers their age would clean the stage with them. He said they have star potential but it would be the worst thing for it to happen to them right now.

I'm ready for it to be Melissa, Gabe, Ashlee, Pearl Heart, and Shawn and for the others to be eliminated. We'll see.

Weekend

2008-06-30T00:17:00.004-05:00

Weekend

Brendan and I had a good time this weekend. We didn't make it to the ballgame since they lost their game last night. Mother, Brendan, and I met Kathy and Kelsey at Opry Mills. That is a shopping mall that replaced Opryland. Don't get me started about how I feel about that. Opryland was a big tourist attraction, and Nashville has lost money because it's gone. It was beautifully landscaped with flowers and foliage. There were rides and other fun things, but what was so great were the shows with singing, dancing, and impersonations. Some careers began there. It was a great family place to go and so much fun. But NO! Gaylord swarmed into Nashville and dismantled and destroyed Opryland, sold The Nashville Network, and did other crappy things I won't go into here. So now it's a shopping mall, and don't we just need more and more of those?

We had a good visit. For a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with how they get along and like each other (because they do), Kathy's family has never seen Brendan and haven't seen Brian and Melissa since she was pregnant with him. They've all seen pictures and have talked on the phone some but nothing in person. I was glad for them to see each other today. When he's at my house, Brendan always gets this photo taken about five years ago and names all of them. So today he looked at the 15 year old Kelsey and then at me and asked, "Did Kelsey turn into a woman?" She loved it, so we all got some mileage out of that. He just loved them and listened to Kelsey when she told him to do and not to do things. It was helpful for me to have reinforcements, and we had a good time.

Design Star

2008-06-30T00:02:00.004-05:00

Design Star

Well, Very Gay Michael went home to his mama. It was kind of sad in a way and karma in other ways. He was so snarky about Tracee's room by telling her he loved it and making fun of her behind her back. He was being a prissy little snot and then the horrible realization fell upon him that he would probably be going home. He cried all the way through the bottom three comments and then broke down when he heard the death knell for his aspirations. He said he didn't want to disappoint his mother and that the wanted and needed her. Poor baby. His wasn't the worst room.

Tracee was also snarky and maintained her bravado about winning until the judges told her how they felt about her room. I thought it was the worst one but did at least suggest the destination country while some gave no hint at all. Thank goodness Matt wasn't sent home! I like him, but his room wasn't what he'd visualized and planned it to be.

All in all, none of them did very well. This is an odd group without as much talent as last season's designers did. I didn't see Season One. My faves are Mikey V, Trish, and Matt. I'd like for Mikey V to win and would watch his show. (and I know David would)

Grandchildren

2008-06-27T00:13:00.004-05:00

Geek Convention and Softball Tournament

Brendan will be staying with me this weekend while Brian and Melissa are involved with Hypericon. Brian is one of the organizers of it, and Melissa shows her art and is often on panels. I have several prints of her work and just love them. I'll meet Melissa and get him mid-day tomorrow and keep him until Sunday evening. He's charming and fun and also exhausting. My energy level doesn't hold up very well with five year olds.

My granddaughter Kelsey is playing in a softball tournament in Hendersonville this weekend. I'm going to try to get over there and spend some time with her and Kathy if it doesn't rain. I'll have Brendan, so that will make things more interesting for sure. Maybe everything will work out. I hope so.

Hope all of you have good weekends! Think about me and send me energy!

GWB Wave

2008-06-26T19:09:00.001-05:00

Can You See Me Now?

I love this! I don't like to overdo the videos but had to post this one. I laugh every time I see it and hope it's an omen.

Shear Genius

2008-06-25T23:28:00.002-05:00

Shear Genius

Well, it happened again! The one black contestant was eliminated first. In this case, Oshun had his first and final cut on Bravo's Shear Genius. The guy from NC went home from HGTV's Design Star. Can you think of other shows where this is how it went?

Rainbow

2008-06-25T21:19:00.005-05:00

Rainbow

Ell posted this video on her blog some time ago about popular Hawaiian performer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole who died much too young. She and her family go to Hawaii often on vacations, and she's seen him perform several times. If you visit her blog, notice how well she writes. I wish she'd finish some of the pieces and get published! She's really good!

Some of us discussed this song on Dan's blog about gay pride.

And this is from Tim Russert's memorial service.

2008-06-24T12:14:00.003-05:00

Nashville Star

I'm beginning to have favorites now. Gabe, Melissa, Shawn, Ashlee, Pearl Heart, Alyson, and Coffey are in that order mostly. Handsome model Justin was eliminated last night, and Gabe Garcia had the most votes. I like him. He reminds me of a Hispanic George Strait.

Billy Ray Cyrus is host. Jewel is one of the judges, and I really like her. I've enjoyed her singing a long time, and she's thoughtful, supportive, and helpful with the contestants. John Rich is the Simon Cowell of this show but is usually right. Jeffrey Steele, the songwriter judge, is tough but fair and tells them what he thinks. I'm caught up in this show now even though I think the contestants were better in Can You Duet. These are improving, though, thank goodness.

Last night was interesting since they sang pop songs they had to make sound country. Melissa did a great job with "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper. Gabe sang "Livin' la Vida Loca" if you can imagine and made it his. Those were my favorites, but the others sang a wide range of songs associated with various pop performers.

Vacations

2008-06-23T18:52:00.002-05:00

Vacations

While I'm visiting people or on vacation, I don't think that much about getting on the computer or watching TV, which is interesting since I do so much of both when I'm at home. I do better when I'm away from home since I walk more, get outside often, eat better, and enjoy new surroundings. So I should travel more or pretend I'm on vacation at home, I guess.

James Lipton

2008-06-23T15:39:00.003-05:00

Answer

If James Lipton asked me the famous questionnaire by Bernard Pivot, after which sound or noise do you hate, I'd have to say, "Mary Murphy's voice." She's a Screech Cougar.

Guest

2008-06-23T14:18:00.002-05:00

Be My Guest

If you were to visit one of these for a few days, which would you choose - Martha Stewart, Oprah, Rachael Ray, or Paula Deen? Hard choice, isn't it? All have their own circle of Hell and all have some appeal.

George Carlin

2008-06-23T11:01:00.002-05:00

Oh No!

I loved him and his contribution to comedy. Here are a couple of good articles about him. Chris wrote a wonderfully thoughtful and eloquent tribute to George Carlin on his blog. Excellent, Chris! I totally agree with all you wrote about him.

Back Home

2008-06-22T21:27:00.004-05:00

Back Home!

I'm back! Thursday we drove up through Kentucky on I-65 and I-71 through Louisville, across Ohio on I-71 and I-70 from Cincinnati to Columbus, briefly across West Virginia through Wheeling, and into Pittsburgh. We drove back today and got home around 8:45 pm.

We had a great time. The weather was in the 80's and pretty, and we walked at lot. Next time we go, I want to see more of the city and tourist attractions. We went to The Strip for shopping and eating. There are all kinds of things there - cut flowers, produce, clothes, gifts, coffee, chocolate, biscotti, gifts, and lots more. It was fun.

Jackie's party was fun with groups in conversations and good food. She and Ed were gracious hosts. Their Victorian house and beautiful gardens were relaxing and enjoyable. I'm pretty tired now but will tell more later.

Meanwhile, here are some neat photos I found online that are better than the ones I took.

Beth, I thought about you while we were driving through Ohio. Did we go anywhere near where you live?

Lucy & Ethel

2008-06-18T21:51:00.003-05:00

Lucy and Ethel Drive To Pittsburgh!

Tina and I have never set out for a trip with enough sleep the night before. This one will be no exception. I'm still doing laundry and haven't packed yet. I also haven't gotten our entertainment together, so we can play CD's and listen to XM radio. I'm so used to doing things at the last minute that it will come together.

Tina met me at the lake and we walked. That's two days so far. She said her dryer wasn't working well. I told her I'd offer to let her come over and use mine but my clothes would be in it. We'll get there even though we say we're like Lucy and Ethel on vacation! With my new hair on my Dancing Flame avatar, we know which one I am. Obviously, this one doesn't look like me, but my hair has been that color. I used to dye my hair recreationally and have had some hair accidents as well as some successes.

All of you talk among yourselves while I'm gone, and I'll catch up when I get back. If anything happens I need to know about, just comment on it here. You know how I hate to miss anything!

Miracle

2008-06-18T13:04:00.005-05:00

Miracle!

Yesterday I walked around the lake. We have a lake here that's a popular place for people to walk and jog. It's a little over a mile around it. There are ducks and geese and houses all around it. It was a pretty day with temperatures in the low 80's and with low humidity, so I took advantage of that rarity. Tina is going to walk with me today, and I plan to go to the gym when the weather gets too hot. What I will do is use the elliptical, treadmill, and stationary bike and then do strength training so my bones and muscles will hold me up and keep me moving.

I've been threatening to do this for a long time and am motivated by fear this time. Because of several factors my blood sugar has been too high for a while, and I need to lose weight and exercise or else. For the most part, I eat the way I should for diabetes and follow a low-carb/high-protein diet but don't exercise. My doctor said if we do what we should 80% of the time, we can veer off 20%. After those strong antibiotics when I had bronchitis and running out of Januvia, I didn't eat exactly the way I should and had problems. This is why I was so sleepy - high blood sugar.

I got my prescription refilled yesterday. It had expired, so I had to call my doctor because I realized I couldn't wait until my regular appointment next week. I also walked. According to my doctor, if I lose 15-20 pounds, it will make a huge difference, even making diabetes symptoms go away unless I gain the weight back. Eventually I'd like to lose 30 pounds but will think about changing my lifestyle instead which will cause it to happen.

This sort of scared me, so I hope that will keep me motivated until it becomes a habit and makes me feel better enough to look forward to it. I've been that way in the past and want to again. Wish me luck!! It's not easy! I have Mad Couch Disease. I stole this expression from David.

Trip

2008-06-16T22:43:00.002-05:00

Trip

Tina and I are leaving Thursday for Pittsburgh to attend Jackie's birthday party. She was 50 in January but is having a half celebration since the weather is better now, and she's out of school for the summer. Tina will be 50 next month which you know if you read what she wrote about it here. I'm really old because I was their teacher!

I have so much to do before we leave since I put all kinds of things off until this week. Then on top of it all, I'm having trouble staying awake. I keep taking naps in my sleep chair, as it's now called. For some reason, I sit in it and go to sleep. It's a wing-back chair, so wedging my head in that corner gives me strange hairstyles sort of reminiscent of Christian Siriano's. Since my hair is fine and curly, the effect isn't quite the same and looks more like an odd cowlick.

Anyway, unlike when I went to the screenwriters conference, I really will be out of touch from Wednesday night until Sunday night. Carry on without me!

Nashville Star

2008-06-16T21:03:00.002-05:00

Nashville Star

Jewel, John Rich, and Jeffrey Steele arrived at the Opryland Hotel in their Nashville Star tour buses and worked with the contestants to help them with their performances. Jewel mentored the guys, John the females, and Jeffrey was with the duos/groups. Trace Adkins sang "You're Gonna Miss This" as the guest performer.

Laura and Sophie are 17 and best friends. They sang "Stand By Your Man" last week which is a song that's older than their age. They sang a Judds' song this week "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain" which they did well. The judges compared them with Taylor Swift who sings songs about what's going on in her life, so they feel the way I do about their singing age-appropriate songs.

Ashlee Hewitt sang "Ring of Fire" and did better than I thought she was going to. Her father is in Iraq, and she's one of 13 children!

Justin the model is great looking but needs to improve his singing. He is definitely hot and seems like a nice guy.

Alyson Gilbert sang Sting's "I'll Be Watching You" and did much better this week.

Pearl Heart is a trio of sisters the judges say need to come out of their shell and perform. They sang "Who Says You Can't Go Home" and have good harmony. I looked it up and Bon Jovi and Sugarland both recorded this. I'm more familiar with rock than country music, even though I try to keep up. Jewel told them to take dance lessons to improve their performances, and Billy Ray Cyrus said he took dance lessons that didn't help him at all. No kidding! How well we remember from DWTS!

Tommy Stanley sang "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" which John Rich wrote and sings, so that's brave. Apparently John was flattered because he played the guitar along with him. Jeffrey called him a kiss-ass, but John said it worked and offered to sing with him since Big Kenny isn't there. Tommy is in the Navy.

Gabe Garcia sang a CCR song "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" quite well.

Shawn Mayer sang Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart" last week and George Jones's "He Stopped Loving Her Today" this week. John Rich said she was taking a big risk and one he wouldn't try with one of the best country songs of all time. Even I liked this one and bought it.

Coffey is the only black contestant and sang "Waiting for the World to Change" (John Mayer). I like his singing.

Melissa Lawson sang "Natural Woman" and did well until she got to some high notes which I thought weren't quite right. The judges complimented her singing and said she needs to come out and be herself more. She was in the bottom two but shouldn't have been. Her voice is better than most of the others, but she's overweight, which probably influences the votes.

Third Town wanted to sing "Bohemian Rhapsody" but Jeffrey talked them out of it, so they sang "Mountain Music" instead. Good harmonies and energetic performance. They were also in the bottom two, and the judges were pretty hard on them.

The results from the voters eliminated Third Town. I'm glad Melissa got another chance. I wish this show gave the judges more influence on the votes. Leaving it all to the audience bothers me. I'm not invested in any of them enough to have a favorite yet but do like several of them pretty well. I like Can You Duet better. The contestants were more talented than these are.

Nashville Shows

2008-06-15T22:58:00.004-05:00

Design Star

This space is for anyone who wants to discuss the shows related to Nashville to make comments.
Design Star on HGTV: I kept trying to recognize places and figure out where they were. That could have been the Old Hickory Lake area, but I'm not sure. I couldn't tell where they shopped, either, but I'm sure I'll know some places eventually.

That bedroom was pretty bad that Scottie from NC designed, and I could see why he was first to go. I wouldn't want to sleep in it and especially not wake up in it. He wouldn't listen to anyone who tried to help him, either. Speaking of which, it was so funny when Very Gay Michael quoted Sparkle Josh from last season and called him Sparkle, when he said the color was exactly the same as spray-on tan "and I should know!" Flaming Michael has ADD.

The pool table went over well but not the rest of that room so much. The living room looked great and so did Mikey's and Matt's bedroom where everyone will be sleeping because of Snoring Matt.

The Dining Room women Stephanie and Jennifer really messed up. That room was so ugly, and why did they paint that HUGE wooden table WHITE? Crazy! The mantle looked like mud after they painted it. Their negotiation for the table was so Blonde Bimbo Hooters. They said it was the focal point but then painted it white and covered it up with all kinds of things. I didn't like that room at all.

Good grief! Bitchy woman Tracee turned on her team at the first chance. Crying California woman Stephanie gets upset about everything in a sort of bipolar way. So far Trish, D. Paul, and Mikey seem fine so far, but who calls himself D. Paul? Matt snores loud enough to run others out of the room so they can sleep and calls it his game plan. I feel free to diagnose everyone on TV.

What's with the rugs? It looked like cardboard or something taped on the floor but then when they showed their rooms, rugs appeared. How? It's a mystery to me!

Wonder if they'll get to change the dining room and that bedroom. I hope so. No winner? I thought there were winners of the challenges last season. Here's the website.

What did you think?

Vote!

2008-06-15T13:59:00.003-05:00

Undecided?

Avatars

2008-06-14T10:12:00.002-05:00

Avatars

I've been playing with the avatar generator David told us about and made a few. What do you think?

Moyers

2008-06-13T22:08:00.002-05:00

The Second Gilded Age

If you didn't watch Bill Moyers Journal, please read the transcript or watch a video of it here. The discussion this week on the economy is scary. Here are some excerpts:

BILL MOYERS: Listening to those workers, I couldn't help but think about Henry Moyers, my father, who dropped out of school in the fourth grade because his family needed him to pick cotton to help make ends meet. The Great Depression knocked him down and almost out, and he struggled on one pittance paying job after another, until finally, late in life, he had a crack at a union job. His last paycheck was the most he'd ever taken home in a week, $96 and change and he was proud of it. He said that job was the best he'd ever had.

I saw then how union struggled to preserve the middle class, and can make the difference between earning a living wage and being part of the working poor. Few have documented this struggle as thoroughly as columnist and author Holly Sklar, who's with me now. She co-authored RAISE THE FLOOR: WAGES AND POLICIES THAT WORK FOR ALL OF US, which looks closely at what it really takes to make ends meet in America.

Holly Sklar is also Director of Business for Shared Prosperity, an organization of business executives and investors, dedicated to our economy's long-term success. Holly Sklar, welcome to the JOURNAL.

HOLLY SKLAR: Our wages now adjusting for inflation, average wages are lower than they were in the 1970s. Our minimum wage, adjusting for inflation, is lower than it was in the 1950s, and why is it? One of the things going on is that income and wealth inequality have gone back to the 1920s. We are back at levels that we saw right before the Great Depression.

BILL MOYERS: But, during this time, the economy's been growing. Why aren't workers sharing in the prosperity that they've helped create?

HOLLY SKLAR: You got the fair day's pay for the fair day's work, you got more results. You shared in the rise and work of productivity. Now, almost all the rise and work of productivity is going not just to the upper class, but to the very top of the upper class. So, we have had a great redistribution of income and wealth in this country in the last three decades. The problem is that redistribution of wealth and income has been going up to the very top. And most people have even been treading water, or going behind. And often working for many, many longer hours to keep up with the living standards.

BILL MOYERS: Why aren't we in the streets? Why isn't there real indignation?

HOLLY SKLAR: Well, one of the things that happened, you know, if we go back to 1980, the 1980s, the two longest periods where we had without a minimum wage increase, have both taken place since 1980. And so, one of things that went on in the 1980s was, remember early on in the Reagan administration, PATCO, the air-traffic controllers union went on strike. And Reagan, essentially said, "You're fired, goodbye," broke the union. You know, and this was really quite unprecedented and set, a real green light to union busting.

Where it became normal to replace striking workers, not even just temporarily while they were out on strike, but basically saying your jobs are gone. And so one factor has been the decline of union strength relative to the workforce.

BILL MOYERS: There are plenty of studies which show, it wasn't just my father's anecdote, but there are plenty of studies that show that as unions increase their share of the economy, they bring other people who are not in unions up with them, they raise the wage standards for a lot of other people too, right?

HOLLY SKLAR: They do, absolutely. And the other factor is, that if people are afraid to lose their job, whether they're trying to unionize, or you're in a union, but you don't want to ask to much, or threaten companies threatening to outsource. But if you're in a situation which everybody's scared to lose their job in the-- before, and now you add on in recent years, terrified to lose their job because if they have health insurance through their job, and of course many workers don't, but those that do, terrified to lose their job. It's a much harder context in which to ask for higher wages

HOLLY SKLAR: Well, we need a few things. One is, raise the minimum wage. Raise the floor. Set a green light in a different direction, and the green light is, raise wages, fair wages. The other is universal health care. Get to universal healthcare.

BILL MOYERS: Because?

HOLLY SKLAR: Because one, because something like 18,000 people die from lack of health insurance every year. Two, it's really destroying a lot of small businesses in the sense that they know they want to give health care to their workers but they are in a situation where they just are paying. I mean, it's just become astronomical. It's like a giant shift from, you know, from one person and from one business to another.

BILL MOYERS: It only hurts when you laugh. Even as our streets and highways crumble, our schools gasp for help, and health care becomes more and more costly for those who are fortunate enough to have it, wealth is being so ostentatiously squandered that historians are calling this the Second Gilded Age. The first gilded age, so named after this novel, published by Mark Twain in 1873, depicted the late 19th century as an era marked by great frauds, shabby scandals and mediocrity in high places. Greed and speculation drove big business, and politicians lined up to do what trusts and corporations told them. Tycoons provided the capital; human nature did the rest. Sound familiar? Well, as Mark Twain himself said, history may not repeat itself but it certainly does rhyme.

Parsing our new Gilded Age, with its income gap the greatest in a hundred years, is historian Steve Fraser. His award-winning books include EVERY MAN A SPECULATOR, LABOR WILL RULE, and his latest, WALL STREET: AMERICA'S DREAM PALACE.

STEVE FRASER: The greatest single difference between the first Gilded Age and the second is what I call the great silence. That is to say, the first Gilded Age was informed by enormous resistance to this amassing of wealth and political power in the hands of the small elite.

There were labor uprisings. And very bloody ones. The Homestead Strike in 1892. The Pullman Strike of 1894. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877. The Great Uprising of 1886. Massive uprisings with whole communities joining in resistance to the power of coal mine wealth and railroad wealth and other forms of industrial wealth

BILL MOYERS: Which came out of the first Gilded Age. That sense of a collaborative commonwealth.

STEVE FRASER: That's right. That's right. Exactly. A cooperative commonwealth, something that could end this dog eat dog, Darwinian jungle like society that many people called that first Gilded Age. I said, "No, we can do better than this." We can have a cooperative commonwealth. Consumer culture makes it somewhat harder to see look Wal-Mart's a perfect example. Wal-Mart pays people badly, treats them badly, there's a lot of - doesn't give them a lot of rights and so on. And there's been protest against Wal-Mart. But a lot of time, that protest is defeated by what Wal-Mart does well: Low prices. And so, the unity of the community is dissipating by that. And it's understandable

Bernie Sanders, the Independent U.S. Senator from Vermont, took to the floor of the Senate recently to talk about what's happened to everyday Americans over the last eight years.

BERNIE SANDERS: I think it is terribly important that the Senate hears from ordinary people to get a sense of what is really going on in America; the struggles that people are having,

BILL MOYERS: So, the Senator used his e-mail list to ask the people of Vermont to tell him about their lives today. Instead of a few dozen replies, he received more than 600 responses from all around the state. He has published them in a booklet that is available on his web site.

As Sanders told the Senate, they are not easy to read.

"…some nights we eat cereal and toast for dinner because that's all I have."

"…we have at times had to choose between baby food, diapers and heating fuel."

"I don't go to church many Sundays, because the gasoline is too expensive to drive there."

"…the pennies have all but dried up…I am sad, broken, and very discouraged."

"…my mortgage is behind, we are at risk for foreclosure, and I can't keep up with my car payments."

And this:

"does anybody in Washington care?"

Well, some people in Washington do care, some of the time. But most of the time our elected officials are on the side of the organized rich. That's where they get the money to campaign, and money is the golden rule of politics; those who have it, rule.

Can You Duet

2008-06-13T17:39:00.003-05:00

Can You Duet

This is for Cindy and me, so we can discuss Can You Duet since no one else on here watches it. I'm typing this now during the finale. Wow! I was in tears (in a very good way) both times Caitlin and Will sang. I want them to win because I want to see them perform and keep growing. Caitlin looks sort of goth with tattoos and Will like a rockabilly singer. They are really good!

Cute guys Brownell & Richey sing country/rock and will probably get a record deal either from winning this show or later. Joey & Rory are married and she is beautiful. Their style is varied and definitely country. I enjoy listening to them.

The Coppola twins were eliminated earlier tonight. This show will be repeated again tomorrow night and other times on CMT if anyone is interested in just seeing the finals. Both last episodes are on tonight and the other times it's repeated one right after the other. They sing different styles each episode.

Joey and Rory came in third place, so now the other two duos will perform again before the final selection. The judges said they are looking for a duet they think can sell a lot of records, fill concerts, and have long careers. The judges LOVED Caitlin & Will's two songs tonight much better than the other competitors' performances, and I'm still hoping for them but think Brownell and Richey might get it. Their second song tonight was rockin' good. We'll see.

And the winners are Caitlin & Will!!!! Yea!! I'm so glad! Watch for them! They auditioned with other partners, were put with someone else, and then put together. Now here they are on YouTube! This is Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" which is great, but the songs they performed tonight were even better. They aren't online yet.

Tim Russert

2008-06-13T16:49:00.007-05:00

Tim Russert

I'm devastated to learn that Tim Russert died today. What a shock! He was just 58 and had a heart attack at work.

Watching Meet the Press and his reports and discussions on MSNBC won't be the same. I can't imagine election coverage without him.

I feel so sad for his family because it was obvious how much he loved them. He will definitely be missed by so many around the world.

There are some people we want to keep around. Tim Russert is one of them.

Kathy Griffin

2008-06-13T00:59:00.007-05:00

Out of the Loop

How am I just now learning about Kathy Griffin maybe being engaged to squillionaire Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak? I'm not sure I know what to think about this, but they seemed quite compatible on her D-List show. Interesting.

It's the first time I've watched her show, but since it was on after the Bravo A-List Awards, I decided to check it out. The Bravo awards show was different, which we'd expect because they are cutting-edge with their programming. The first of their shows I started watching and still like is Inside the Actor's Studio. When Will Ferrell imitated James Lipton on Saturday Night Live, I realized how popular it was. Now many celebrities mention watching Project Runway, which makes me even sadder that it won't be on Bravo any more. That's just wrong.

There are many Bravo shows I don't watch because mostly I watch those competitions like Project Runway, Top Chef, and Shear Genius. Step It Up & Dance wasn't as good as the others, but I watched the whole season.

Comics

2008-06-11T17:49:00.002-05:00

Comics

For those of you interested in comic books and such as that, you might want to check out my son's blog. He hasn't posted for a while, but if you haven't read it, you wouldn't know. I'm nothing if not logical.

Arrested Development

2008-06-11T15:25:00.004-05:00

Arrested Development

Did you hear about this story? This happens at our graduations here, too. They are held outside in the football stadium which might make a difference, but I doubt it. Some of these people do it at band concerts and other places where it's inappropriate. It is really embarrassing because they go beyong enthusiastic, polite applause and into bullhorns, shouting, and loud whooping noises. It was usually announced that applause was OK but not the other cheers. Unfortunately, too many people ignored it and went too far. Being arrested is excessive, so I guess they thought it would make an impression and get through to people.

7 Arrested for Cheering at High School Graduations
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. — When school officials in Rock Hill, South Carolina, tell graduation ceremony crowds to hold their applause until the end, they mean it — Police arrested seven people after they were accused of loud cheering during the ceremonies.

Six people at Fort Mill High School's graduation were charged Saturday and a seventh at the graduation for York Comprehensive High School was charged Friday with disorderly conduct, authorities said. Police said the seven yelled after students' names were called.

"I just thought they were going to escort me out," Jonathan Orr told The Herald of Rock Hill. "I had no idea they were going to put andcuffs on me and take me to jail."

Orr, 21, spent two hours in jail after he was arrested when he yelled for his cousin at York's commencement at the Winthrop University Coliseum.

Rock Hill police began patrolling commencements several years ago at the request of school districts who complained of increasing disruption. Those attending graduations are told they can be prosecuted for bad behavior and letters are sent home with students, said Rock Hill police spokesman Lt. Jerry Waldrop.

All the cases, except for one that includes a resisting arrest charge, will be handled in city court and are punishable by a maximum of 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Orr said he thinks people should be allowed to cheer.

"For some people, it might be the only member of their family to graduate high school, and it was like a funeral in there," Orr said.

William Massey, 19, was arrested but said he plans to fight the charge. He said he simply "clapped and gave a little whoop" when his fiancee's name was called. Massey said there were warnings before the ceremony but none that said he could be arrested.

He said not everyone who cheered was arrested.

"There's a lot more people that did it than six or seven," said Massey, who graduated from Fort Mill last year.

Fort Mill Principal Dee Christopher says school officials don't ask that offenders be arrested but that he plans to keep a police presence at future graduation ceremonies.
"We think it's important for every graduate's name to be heard and for every person in the arena to be able to see that student cross the stage. ... That's why we have disruptive guests removed," he said.

Last year in Galesburg, Illinois, five students were denied diplomas from the city's lone public high school after enthusiastic friends or family members cheered for them during commencement. Students could get their diplomas after completing eight hours of public service for the school district.

Tina's New Blog Post

2008-06-10T23:32:00.002-05:00

Tina's Post

Tina wrote a piece for our collaborative blog which I posted for her since she hasn't been able to access Blogger. It's a really big deal for her to write something for the blog, so I want you to comment and encourage her. Please and thank you!

The More They Stay the Same

2008-06-10T22:59:00.002-05:00

The More They Stay the Same

I've been reading another blog I started six years ago. The same things I complained about and fussed at myself for still linger. I'm starting to think I need therapy since it's sort of crazy.

It was good to read "My House" again which is my favorite Nikki Giovanni poem. She is a few months older than I am, and we both brought up sons by ourselves. My son was five when I got a divorce, so for most of his life, it was just the two of us at home. He's always been a blessing and a joy and was my little running buddy. His and Brendan's outings together remind me of how Brian and I used to be. He's a good son I've always been proud of.

The analysis of The Full Monty was for a screenwriting class Brian and I took together at Watkins Film School in Nashville around eleven years ago. We were supposed to write about the six main characters in terms of changes they made. Brian and I went to see the movie with notepads in hand taking notes in the dark theater and compared our papers with each other before we turned them in. That was a fun time and so good to have an activity to spend with Brian again.

So anyway, it was fun to revisit blog entries from years ago even though I haven't made any progress.

Gnarls Barkley

2008-06-10T01:24:00.003-05:00

Just Saying

I like Gnarls Barkley. They're an collaboration between multi-instrumentalist and producer Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) from New York, and rapper/vocalist Cee-Lo Green (Thomas Callaway), from Atlanta. I just saw them on Letterman and thought I'd mention how much I like them.

Nashville

2008-06-09T22:20:00.002-05:00

Nashville Reality

I like to watch movies, TV shows, and videos that feature Nashville for several reasons. It's fun to recognize landmarks and places I see regularly and to learn new things. I've seen some pretty bad ones just for that reason, like that sort of reality show that followed some singers trying to break into the business. I had to quit watching. I also watch the CMA and other country music award shows, so I'll know who the performers are. I don't like to live this close without knowing a little since I don't follow country music much at all. Some of them I definitely know about since I don't live under a rock and like several of them.

Something I hope happens is that Nashville is shown in a positive way. It's a pretty good place to live, and I'm proud of those aspects. With all this in mind, I've been watching Can You Duet and have just begun watching Nashville Star and HGTV's Design Star since that's being taped in Nashville.

I haven't done any recapping because I think I'm the only one watching Can You Duet that I know. A couple I really like on there, Joey and Rory, played in Dickson Friday night at an outdoor venue I read about in the local paper. I really like Caitlin and Will, too. It's down to the finals Friday night, so we'll know then who won. This one is decided completely by the judges, and I like those better than the ones where the judges have input but the total decision is made by viewer voting.

Unfortunately, Nashville Star is like American Idol in the voting and has Billy Ray Cyrus as host. You might remember how much I complained about him on DWTS; however, he's in his element here and OK. I like the judges on it since they are Jewel, John Rich (Big & Rich - "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy" which Cheryl & Drew danced to in one of my favorite dances on DWTS), and Jeffrey Steele (songwriter). John Rich went to high school here for a while, but I didn't know him since I wasn't teaching there then. There are some good singers and performers competing, so I'll stick with it. One of them wears his Navy uniform, which brings back memories of ironing those things! Not as easy as you'd think! The judges aren't afraid to sing or play the guitar to make a point about their criticism. They aren't mean but tell them what will help the performers. I like that. If any of you watch this, let me know. I'll make a place for us to discuss it. Aha! The judges just sent someone home, so maybe they do have more input than I thought. I hope so, but Jewel said America is voting after tonight. Oh well.

Design Star is being held in Nashville for some reason. Anybody know why? Whatever the reason, it will be interesting to see how the places are showcased. I like to see what the designers do with the rooms they work on.

See that building on the left? It's the BellSouth Tower, which we call the Bat Building because it looks like Batman. Go figure.

This blog "Nashville Daily Photo" gives a well-rounded view of Nashville. Check it out when you get a chance. I enjoy looking through it but haven't made a comment yet. I'm a lurker. I have lurkers - those silent readers who sometimes let me know they exist.

Diabetes

2008-06-07T00:20:00.003-05:00

Diabetes Studies Have Mixed Messages

Have you read or heard about the recent study that reports that slashing blood sugar helps kidneys, not hearts of diabetics? Here is an excerpt from another article on it from WebMD:

The bottom line for patients hoping to avoid all the diabetes-related complications? Lowering blood glucose levels does help reduce kidney and eye complications from diabetes, but paying attention to blood pressure and cholesterol levels is crucial to reduce the heart attack and stroke-related risks that accompany a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, researchers from both studies say.

"You can safely reduce glucose A1c to about 6.5% by using the sort of gradual, gentle approach that we used," says Stephen MacMahon, PhD, an investigator of one study, called ADVANCE (Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease). "It won't improve cardiovascular risks, but it will improve kidney risks."

"If you want to manage cardiovascular risks, focusing on blood pressure and lipids is likely where the money is," says John B. Buse, MD, PhD, president of medicine and science for the American Diabetes Association, who also participated in the briefing.

Norm & Newsnight

2008-06-06T21:34:00.005-05:00

Norm of the Blogs

I've decided that I'm like Norm on Cheers with the blogs. I hang out reading and commenting and lurking. Then I write posts for my own blog. Sometimes I google to get information to link and to find photos to add. Today I spent time recapping Step It Up & Dance as a guest blogger for David. No one can recap like he can, so I was honored that he asked me.

Newsnight

I watch Newsnight on BBC-America. It's interesting to get the viewpoint from another country. Here's a blog about it for news junkies. Tonight they had a piece on the torture done by American on detainees at Guantanamo. Then Scott McClelland was interviewed about his book and the lies that King George and Darth Vader Cheney told about the war. I can't believe they haven't been charged with war crimes and know they do not need to get by with what they've done, much less be rewarded for it the way I'm sure they have been.

They interviewed a few New Yorkers about the economy and how they are suffering from the credit and mortgage fiasco. One woman was working 100 hours a week at four jobs to keep her house and take care of her children. It was heartbreaking. A man who owns a land search business has borrowed against his house to keep his business afloat since his business has dropped by 70%. Now his son has leukemia, so that's a factor, too. I'm sure people in Europe can't understand why we don't have national healthcare the way they do. In some countries college is paid for. A woman who was a banker and is now a consultant is deciding if she can affored to retire. Did you see Sicko? I cried both times I watched it and would again.

The part about becoming a vegetarian to help save the planet was interesting. It takes a fraction of the land to produce vegetables and fruit that it does to produce pork and beef. They said we need to use the grain for human consumption instead of feeding animals for us to eat. I understand their point but would have to make major adjustments. I worked at a vegan restaurant for a few months as a cashier and ate there free. It was buffet-style charged by the weight, so my job was to weigh the food and run the cash register. The salad bar was beautiful and looked like technicolor. They prepared gourmet vegan dishes that were delicious. I enjoyed almost all of it, so we'd have to have many restaurants that served that before I could eat it for a majority of my meals. I was inspired to cook again from the blog ChezWhat? so perhaps I will take better care of myself. For now, I'll stick with being an ominvore wherever I eat; otherwise, how will I eat low-carb?

Yves Saint Laurent was featured with a bio of his career and his amazing contribution to fashion. They introduced their interview with Manolo Blahnik, who was tremendously influenced by YSL, as the fifth character in Sex and the City. He said YSL adored women and is influential in their liberation because of trousers and jackets for women, which at the time was revolutionary and is now a staple and added that his dresses are forever.

I feel more informed now since I watched Newsnight right after Keith Olbermann. Hope all of you have a great weekend! Enjoy!

Wow!

2008-06-05T17:24:00.005-05:00

P.S.

You won't believe this! The appointment people called me back to say they'd send a technician over this afternoon. In less than half an hour, I got a call that he was on his way! I told her that Saturday would be fine, but she said she wanted it fixed. So OK. Now it is. The technician replaced the cable going out to the pole and one inside. He told me that Philly is where the home office is after I told him some of this. He said next time to call them when I have any problems. I told him that I did and have always had good experiences with their service department and that I had already made an appointment for Wednesday. I told him they found me and that I was OK with waiting. Now I'm really, really glad it's fixed. As much as I pay for all this, I should have called sooner. Unlike some people, I have had good experiences with Comcast and have had cable for over 20 years. Then in 2002 I got the cable modem and soon after the DVR and phone.

The technician adjusted some things on the menu for me. When I mentioned I didn't know about those features, he asked if they didn't set my remote control when they installed the box. I told him I did all that myself, and he seemed surprised. I told him I was going to have someone out to install a wireless router, and he said I could buy one and do it myself. Those of you who read about my failure to accomplish that task know I reached my limitations on that one. (here) I hooked up Mother's HDTV but think I might go on and have Comcast do that, too, when I get mine. He said it was the same box, but it would be good to get things checked out and done right. I told him I was going to let Comcast do the router and then it would be theirs and if anything goes wrong with it, they can fix it. Besides, I'm not giving them all of my money yet, just most of it. That should take care of that.

I'm still not going to let myself get the wireless router or HDTV until I get the living room and den like I want them. Behavior modification is working against me since I just have to do without rather than motivating me to get it done. I will do it now because I need to. I will get my car serviced, too.

Then about an hour after the technician left, the appointment woman called me to see if everything had been fixed and wanted to know what was wrong with it. Then she told me if I had any problems again, to let her know and gave me her name and number and a $25 credit. I seem to have Comcast power for some reason and will use it wisely.

Who knew our blogs could generate such good things! Thank you again, Mark Casem!!

Customer Service

2008-06-05T15:08:00.004-05:00

Customer Service

Wow! I just got a call from someone in "digital outreach" in Philadelphia from my cable company who said he read on my blog that I was having trouble with my service and offered to help me. He has that Google alert that lets him know when Comcast is mentioned on the 'net, so I guess he'll see this one, too. (feel free to comment if you want to and thank you!) He said he would do what he could to get someone out here sooner than Wednesday, but I told him that was because of me, not them. I'm embarrassed about my house and wanted to frantically clean and hide things. I really do need to quit living like this.

He thinks it might be a wiring problem. I hope so because I checked and some things I recorded that were fine are now doing this. I have to quickly do rewind and play on my remote to watch anything. It happens more and more frequently and is beyond frustrating. What is one of my favorite things to do is now a chore.

I hope I don't have to change DVR's right now because I saved things on there I need to watch or want to see again. The way it's working, they won't tape all that well, so I can't save them.

So, David, I didn't even have to call or email headquarters like you did with your cable comapany. Comcast found me. This is not too much like Big Brother, is it? The technician (not Martha Stewart) is coming Saturday. Now I need to go clean!

Credit

2008-06-05T12:28:00.002-05:00

Where Credit is Due

I got an email from my college roommate about Hillary. Here's part of it:

OK! Enough of this Hillary bashing. What's a girl supposed to do? What she's done is as impressive as what Obama's done. Give her some credit.

She's right. It's very impressive that she got all those votes. It was extremely close, and they both brought voters in who have never been involved before. That in itself is wonderful and encouraging. So well done, Hillary, on the race!

Better, Barb?

Craig Ferguson

2008-06-05T01:56:00.003-05:00

Craig Ferguson

Yea! Craig Ferguson just compared Hillary to the Black Knight! I'm so glad someone on TV finally said that. Also all of you know what a huge fan I am of him and his show.

At the conference when Evan Wright (journalist for Rolling Stone and author of Generation Kill) was at our table at lunch, I mentioned something that Craig said on his show. Evan said that they have the same literary agent and that he wants Evan to go on The Late Late Show but that he would be too nervous to do it because of something about prepared questions. I asked if he'd seen the show because that wouldn't be the case on there since Ferguson is the ADD talk show host and banters with guests and is hilarious. I added that he riffs off of guests and is really good. Wright said he'd watch the show and consider it if he's asked to be on there. I encouraged him to do it and said I watch the show every night and would look forward to seeing him on there. I hope it happens.

I hope this doesn't sound like I think I'm all that. It's just that after teaching so long, I guess I think I can jump in and tell people what to do and get into their business. I'm not delusional, but it does fit into how I like to put people together who have similar interests and could work together, etc. What would that career be?

Comcast

2008-06-04T18:35:00.003-05:00

Comcast

My television is driving me crazy! I called Comcast today and won't be able to have a technician here until next Wednesday. They could have come Saturday, but I have plans. My digital cable box with the DVR keeps pixilating the picture. Sometimes I can't watch any of a show. At times the sound goes off and other times a black screen. It's annoying, to say the least. The Comcast person said my signal possibly wasn't coming through, but it does on the other TV with the regular digital box without the DVR. That one is in the bedroom and away from the computer where I like to multi-task. LOL Also I would have to lie or sit on the bed to watch. The problematic one won't stay on very long at all without messing up. I have to rewind quickly and then play over and over again to keep it going unless it is so pixilated that I can't even watch it. Argh!!!

Just in case it's the box, I have to watch all these shows I've recorded and haven't watched yet. Then I'll have to set up all my series recordings and start over. Whatever is wrong is probably what makes me computer keep falling off-line.

Proposed Concession

2008-06-04T18:28:00.006-05:00

Mighty White of Her

I just heard on MSNBC that Hillary is planning to endorse Obama Friday, which was the last date the DNC gave her to do it. I hope she actually concedes and asks her supporters to vote for him and work for his election. Her arrogance knows no bounds! She's just as divisive and stubborn as George W. Bush, and that's saying something! She's getting on all my nerves right now.

She's suspending her campaign Friday. Oh, really? Does she think she's still a candidate? As I told someone when I was dating a black guy and she said she still liked me anyway, "That's mighty white of you." It's a black expression here in the South if you haven't heard it and fits here with Hillary in this situation.

Apparently, somehow she seems to feel justified and entitled. Unbelievable, isn't it? Here she is getting all this attention when other candidates exited gracefully and elegantly. Gracious people with manners know when to leave. IT'S HIS DAY!

Changes

2008-06-04T14:29:00.009-05:00

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Well, Obama made it and is the nominee. It's historic and about time this happened. It should have been his celebratory huge day and was except for one cloud raining on his parade. This day was about Obama, not any other contestants.

I was really irritated by Hillary's rude and ungracious speech last night. She needs to get over herself. He won. She didn't. Concede already! If she's trying to get a VP nomination, this is the wrong way to go about it. If she won't do what she should about this, why would anyone want her as a VP? Besides, I don't think Bill could stay out of things, and Billary would be VP for sure then. All the time she was speaking, all I could think of was the Black Knight on Monty Python and the Holy Grail and "I'm Not Leaving" from Dreamgirls. She doesn't have the excuse of being young, unmarried, and pregnant by her first love the way Effie was in the movie begging for him to stay and love her.

It's incredible that Hillary won't do what she should right now and is embarrassing, too. Good grief! It also pisses me off that on his big day, she horns in on his glory and excitement. No class Hillary won't even let him have the attention and excitement he deserves without making it all about her. What's wrong with her? She looks pathetic, desperate, and delusional. If he even considers her for VP, he's nuts. Besides, if you want to be VP, don't upstage the presidential candidate.

I've worked with people like this and know how miserable it can be. They're like kudzu. One of them couldn't be glad for good things that happened to other people but always bitched that it wasn't her. I used to ask her why she couldn't be happy for anyone else. Another one always thought she was better than anyone else at everything and surely everyone would be better off if she took over.

"And I'm telling you, I'm not leaving! ... You're gonna love me."

Bronchitis

2008-06-03T18:17:00.002-05:00

Bronchitis

I went to the walk-in clinic this afternoon to get antibiotics for my bronchitis. I expected to get a shot, but this doctor didn't think I needed one. When I got the prescription for Biaxin filled, the pharmacist said to take it with food and to drink a lot of water because I could get a metallic taste. She said if that happens to eat something high in fat like chocolate or peanut butter, so I think I need to go on and eat them as a preventive measure - possibly even together. First time someone in the medical profession suggested that I eat chocolate! All right!!

Graham Norton

2008-06-03T00:30:00.004-05:00

Graham Norton

I've been watching Graham Norton on BBC-A and wondered if any of you watch his talk show. He's hilarious and I just love him!

The Man on the Ceiling

2008-06-02T18:49:00.004-05:00

Book Recommendation

Larry Wilson highly recommended The Man on the Ceiling. Have any of you read it? If so, what did you think? I'm going to get it soon and read it this summer.

Based on the absence of response, I guess no one has read this book who reads my blog. So I'll have to find out how it is myself.

Tina

2008-06-02T17:28:00.004-05:00

Congratulations, Tina!

My friend Tina Romine has won an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D. C., based on an essay she wrote to the Holocaust Remembrance Project. She is one of five teachers selected to attend. I'm sure Charlie is quite familiar with this since he's been involved in courses at Bates and projects at the Maine Holocaust and Human Rights Center, which he wrote about on his blog.

This is from the website for the Holocaust Remembrance Project:

The Holocaust Remembrance Project is a national essay contest for high school students that is designed to encourage and promote the study of the Holocaust. Participation in this project encourages students to think responsibly, be aware of world conditions that undermine human dignity, and make decisions that promote the respect and value inherent in every person.

The project serves as a living memorial to the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust. The Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation recognizes the moral imperative of teaching young people about this watershed event and the central importance of passing on to future generations a profound understanding of the consequences of the Holocaust and a sense of responsibility to the human community.

High school students across the United States and Mexico are invited to incorporate the project into their study of the Holocaust and to use it as a means to personally react to the messages of the Holocaust. Scholarships and other prizes are awarded to students in first, second and third place categories.

First Place winners participate in an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other historic sites. In addition, scholarships are awarded to the first-place winners.

This is quite an honor for Tina and no surprise to any of us who know her. She excels at whatever she does. For example, to name a few, she was valedictorian of her high school class, won the first first-place state trophy for the high school (poetry interpretation in the forensics tournament), graduated from college with honors, won a full scholarship to the prestigious Iowa Writer's Workshop, and recently was named Teacher of the Year at Creek Wood High School. See what I mean?

Well done, Tina! There will be more honors and awards and successes to go with what a wonderful mother, daughter, and friend she is.

Larry Wilson & Caroline Thompson

2008-06-02T16:02:00.001-05:00

Larry Wilson and Caroline Thompson

I just love Larry Wilson! Look at him. Isn't he adorable? He's also talented, creative, funny, and totally insecure! He almost makes Richard Lewis look confidant, except Lewis is annoying. Larry keeps asking if we are enjoying his instruction/presentation, if he's doing a good job, and if we're interested in what he says. Yes, Larry, we are. You're wonderful!

He and Caroline Thompson, who have been writing partners and are good friends, were together for the group discussions. The panelists moved around from group to group. Caroline is amazing and has collaborated with Tim Burton for some fantastic movies, such as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. I like the way her mind works.

Once again, any of you who are interested in making videos for the internet, please go to Small & Creepy Films, sign up for the newsletter, read what is on the site, and get involved! If you know someone who would be interested in this, pass the information along to them, please and thank you. :-)

After the group conversation, I gave Larry a note saying, "I'm not going to enable your insecurity. HOWEVER, I did write wonderful things about you on my blog. Your workshop was great!" (or something like that) At the very end, the panelists were sitting together on the stage, I noticed he was holding that note in both hands. He nudged Caroline and indicated it was about him. She and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes and smiled. As we were leaving, I told him I couldn't believe he was carrying that around. He said he was going to put it in his scrapbook. I laughed, and he said he really was. I thought, "Oh no! This is a first draft! I need to rewrite!"

I told you that in the workshop Larry Wilson conducted on writing horror, he asked us to write about our greatest fear. He encouraged us to go past physical things and describe emotional fears and included some possibilities - fear of abandonment, economic failure, unbearable depression. Been there, done those already along with divorce, deaths of close relatives, cancer, losing a child to adoption by Baptist Republicans, reuniting with my daughter and being afraid she'd hate me, almost dying, and hundreds of dating accidents. So I thought about how I'd already been through all those and survived and have been so scared at my core for over the last five years. Maybe I'm afraid of what's left. So many shoes have fallen, that's it's not like waiting for the other shoe to drop but wondering how many more shoes there are. What's next?

That workshop turned out to be good therapy for me because I'd never really thought about the specifics so much. Sure, my irrational fears are of those trenches in the ocean, especially the Marianas Trench since it's the deepest, but as long as I stay away from Guam, that should be OK. I also believe that my car will blow up if I drive over a cigaretter thrown out of the car in front of me. So far, so good with no explosions. Because I watch so many crime shows, being kidnapped and tortured by a serial killer does enter my mind enough to hope they put me in the trunk while I'm conscious and can kick out the tail light. I'd really like to avoid that one because senseless deaths are so hard on families and friends.

But probably a fear that puts me in despair is the one about a group of wealthy, powerful people who control the world and manipulate all of us for their gain. Mostly they pay no attention to us because we are pawns and don't matter except for however we can benefit their plans. This has been the subject of novels such as The DaVinci Code, 1984, Brave New World, and other conspiracy theory works, but mostly I get flashes of it intuitively. It's as if a moment of clarity makes me realize how things really are. When I think about this, I feel useless, pointless, and hopeless. So I have to make myself believe that it's not like that and that we really are in control of our lives and have a purpose and meaning.

What fears do you have? What have you survived?

Conference 3

2008-06-01T20:13:00.002-05:00

Conference Finale

The screenwriters conference came to an end today with round-chair conversations with the panelists. (not round-table discussions since our chairs were in a circle) It was fun to get to ask them questions and hear what they have to say. I'll have to tell you more about it tomorrow because my allergies have gone into something worse, and I'm wiped out from the coughing and all. I'm looking forward to a week of several days with no appointments or plans.

We didn't go to the brunch by "Miss Daisy" and went to Hot Kabobs instead and then to McKay's. I got a stack of books by Kathy Reichs. If we attend this next year, Tina and I decided we might do the brunch. As you'd expect, it looked delicious! Miss Daisy doesn't have any of her tea rooms any more, and I used to enjoy going to them.

My car made three trips to Nashville and back (almost 300 miles) on a tank of gas. My Honda did better than that, and when I get the Fit, it will do even better, but that wasn't too bad.

Hope all of you had a good weekend. I know what Charlie did. What about the rest of you? Did you see Sex and the City, David? I want to see that this week if I can quit coughing so I don't bother people.

Conference 2

2008-05-31T21:18:00.007-05:00

Nashville Screenwriters Conference - Day 2

This morning the group from Generation Kill talked about the screening and answered questions. One of the writer/producers David Simon asked us if we realized the real names of the Marines were used. When we said no we didn't, he said they might need to do something about that. I checked the HBO site, and there was no mention of it there. Two young men from the Marine Recon Unit the miniseries is about were there. One is Eric Kocher who was military adviser, and Ray Person was in the audience. I talked with him a while after the panel discussion and found out he lives in Overland Park, KS, where my niece Amy lives. He's the driver of the first Humvee if you watch the trailer, and he's wearing sunglasses. The actor playing him doesn't look that much like him but captures his personality, according to Person's wife, he said. We had lunch with several from that group, and let me tell you, Eric is really good looking and hot! Obviously he still works out (think body builder) and is in great shape and has "those eyes" and a chisled face. I found a small photo of him, so you can see that he resembles a much shorter, very buff Tom Selleck with intense, twinkly eyes. It made lunch quite enjoyable looking at him. (You'd have swooned, David) I talked with him quite a while since he was sitting beside me and found out he did five tours in Iraq and was wounded five times. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with "V" for Valor for heroism during an enemy ambush near Fallujah. He didn't mention any of this but was asked about it by a man sitting at our table who'd read his bio. Eric said he was just doing his job and was humble about it all. He did say the Purple Heart helped him get better disability. I saw scars on his arm, and he looked fine (I think I might have mentioned that) but has PTSD, understandably. He and Person were both personable, intelligent, friendly, funny, and delightful.

Evan Wright, the journalist who wrote the book Generation Kill, was also at our table and very interesting. Tina and I met Rebecca, a teacher in Metro, who writes children's books, so Evan told them if they emailed him, he would get them in touch with his agent. Great networking! Tina has several children's and young adult novels and plays she's working on, so that was great news. We were talking about David Milch, who Evan said he'd worked for, and somehow I mentioned his appearances on Craig Ferguson's show. Evan said his agent is also Craig's because he'd written a novel and that his agent wanted him to appear on Craig's show. I told him he should. He said he'd be nervous because he couldn't handle planned questions, but I told him that wouldn't happen on that show because Craig riffs off the guests and is like the ADD version of talk show hosts. So I hope he'll be on there. He said he'd watch the show and see what he thought.

The Problem Solving panel discussion involved screenwriters Mike Rich (Finding Forrester - a favorite of mine, The Rookie, Secretariat, and Radio), Scott Frank (Get Shorty, Out of Sight, The Interpreter, Monority Report, and Little Man Tate), Ted Griffin (Ocean's 11, Best Laid Plans, Matchststick Man, The Key to Reserva), Derek Hass & Michael Brandt (2 Fast 2 Furious, 3:10 to Yuma, Wanted), and Caroline Thompson (Edward Scissorhands, The Addams Family, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Homeward Bound, The Incredible Journey, The Secret Garden, and Black Beauty) Obviously, she works with Tim Burton often. This was entertaining and instructive. Ted Griffin's personality and sense of humor made it easy to see how he wrote Ocean's 11.

An interesting panel was about the internet and all the possibilities there. They mentioned You Tube and how people liked to watch two to three minute videos. Jason Nadler is head of UTA Online and discovers and represents premier video content creators, bloggers, and other digital artists working on the Internet. Karen Murphy is a producer (all those Christopher Guest masterpieces This is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind as well as Drugstore Cowboy. She co-founded the Nashville Screenwriters Conference. Steve Niolaides (producer of Boyz 'N The Hood, Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, Misery, A Few Good Men, The Forgotten, School of Rock, Nacho Libre, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, which Michelle's husband Raymond helped to the CGI on) and Caroline Thompson co-founded Small & Creepy Films and write, direct, and produce short video series there because they want to do things their way. Brent Weinstein is CEO of 60Frames Entertainment. One of his shows is "Douchebag Beach" which can be seen on You Tube or blip.tv. Any of you who are interested in putting something out there on the 'net need to get in touch with these people. It's a new frontier, so get on board!

You can see photos of the panelists and read their bios on the NSC website.

Grey's Anatomy head writer Krista Vernoff, Joan Rater, Tony Phelan, and Allan Heinberg (who used to write for Sex and the City!) were on a panel discussing how they write and some inside scoop on the show. Brad Schmidt from Channel 2 interviewed Krista Vernoff after their panel. She quoted me when he asked how people reacted when they found out she wrote for Grey's Anatomy. Her answer was that no one in L.A. reacted at all but that people outside of there were like this woman who came up to her and said, "Do not let Izzy and George get together!" She told me they'd do their best. LOL Part of his interview was on the 10:00 news but probably more will be on the morning news Monday. He wouldn't say douchebag when introducing Brent Weinstein. He walked by me on his way out, and I said, "Brad! Man up!" He laughed and said he just couldn't.

I wore my new dusty pink capris and a pink plaid blouse. Then I had a thought that I might look like Miss Piggy. If I go anywhere with Mother in her lime green, well, you get it.

Contrary to what you might believe, I did behave while I was there. Really, Brian, I did!

Conference

2008-05-30T23:04:00.005-05:00

Nashville Screenwriters Conference - Day 1

Larry Wilson is hilarious. He conducted a workshop on writing horror/fantasy. We had to write a paragraph about something we fear. Then some read theirs. I didn’t get called on. Then we had to have it do something horrible to us or someone else. Some others read those. We met in groups and collaborated on a story combining our fears. Mine was about a group controlling us and we’re just pawns with meaningless lives. Our group had a good one that Larry said was about a dystopic society. We had zombies in it and things in necks that counted down when we’d die but they were fake so the zombies could continue existing. Fun!

The Union Station Hotel is nice. They have cloth hand towels in the restrooms. (Can you tell I don't get out to nice places that much?) I’m glad they are having the conference there. We get pampered. It used to be a train station (opened in 1900) and was miraculously saved from demolition and turned into a hotel. Nashville is notorious for destroying buildings and replacing them with new ones, but people protested when they planned to tear down Union Station and managed to save it.

We took a shuttle to the Country Music Hall of Fame to see a screening of Generation Kill, which is an HBO miniseries based on Evan Wright’s book by the same title. It’s about the Iraq War. We saw the first two episodes. They are disturbing, as you would expect. Wright is a journalist who was embedded with the troops for Rolling Stone. Evan Wright, military adviser Eric Kocher, an HBO producer, and the screenwriters Ed Burns and David Simon were at the screening and will present a panel discussion about the miniseries in the morning. We're looking forward to that, and I'll tell you about it. Here are some reviews and comments about it on Amazon, and this is from NPR. I plan to watch the miniseries since I have HBO.

2008-05-30T22:55:00.002-05:00

David

After a two year visit to the United States, Michelangelo's David is returning to Italy......

Before After

Busy Weekend

2008-05-30T00:38:00.005-05:00

Busy Weekend

I won't be around here in Blogland this weekend because Tina and I are going to the Nashville Screenwriting Conference. I attended the first one ten years ago but none of the others since then. That one was great! We're really looking forward to going.

Larry Wilson is conducting a workshop tomorrow afternoon. He wrote Beetlejuice, The Addams Family, and Tales from the Crypt, among others. He's as quirky and hilarious as you'd expect. Can't wait for that!

I'll let you know how it was. What are you doing this weekend? Let me know, so I'll have something to read when I check my blog. You know how I love the comments!

Outing with Mother

2008-05-28T18:55:00.004-05:00

Outing with Mother

I drove Mother to the dental hygienist today in Green Hills. Then the fun began! We went to the mall and shopped and bought and shopped some more. I have some new pink clothes, and Mother has new lime green clothes. We had a harder time finding shoes for her. Have you seen the new style of shoes? Some of them don't fit into my standards of comfort which is what I now go for. I used to be able to wear all kinds and styles of shoes with no problems. No more!

We ate lunch at the cafe in Davis-Kidd Booksellers and enjoyed it very much. I like Green Hills Mall and liked Bellevue Mall when it was thriving. I'm not sure what happened to it, but I think they are going to make it into one of those outdoor malls designed to resemble small town main streets. I LIVE in a small town with a Main Street! Why do I want to go to a mall where I have to keep driving around looking for a place to park, go in and out of shops in the rain or snow or heat, and not know where restrooms are? I wouldn't mind them if they had a cover over the street and closed off traffic so we could be free to walk around more comfortably.

Hill's Center, right next to Green Hills Mall, is an upscale "lifestyle center" as they are called. They tore everything down and built all new places. Some of the stores are Anthropologie, Swoozie, Francesca's Collections, West Elm, Jigsaw, Merrill Shoes, Posh, Snap, E.J. Sain Jewelers, Whole Foods, and Whole Body. Restaurants include P.F. Chang's Pei Wei, Zoe's Kitchen, California Pizza Kitchen, Take-Out Cafe, and Five Guys. I've been to Whole Foods but none of the other places yet.

Hill's Center: See how it looks like a small town street?

What about you? Do you like indoor malls or these outdoor ones better?

Obama Team

2008-05-28T01:59:00.003-05:00

Hamilton Jordan

In the referenced article in my post about Hamilton Jordan, he makes the following recommendations in Newsweek.

I consider the Obama operation the most brilliant political campaign in my lifetime. Yet in the weeks to come questions about how Obama will implement his platform of change will receive greater scrutiny from the press and the electorate. By announcing some smart additions to his team now, he could go a long way toward heading off the GOP's general election attacks.

What if Obama, in the next 30 to 60 days:

* Says he will name Independent Mike Bloomberg as his "domestic czar," given broad authority and charged with reconciling our country's fiscal mess with our domestic needs and opportunities. Bloomberg is a highly talented leader and visionary who has been tremendously successful in business and in politics. Bloomberg deserves a much larger stage to perform on. He might or might not want the portfolio of Secretary of Treasury, but having a person of his experience on the Obama team would reassure Wall Street and reinforce Obama's message of bringing all Americans together, regardless of party affiliation, to bring about change.

* Says he will name mainstream Democrat Sam Nunn, highly respected former senator and expert on defense issues and foreign policy (who has traveled the world for the past decade trying to contain the spread of nuclear weapons) to be his choice for Secretary of State. Here is a man who can go toe to toe with John McCain on any defense or foreign policy issue and enjoys the respect and admiration of foreign leaders around the world.

* Says he will name retiring Republican U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel, from Nebraska, war hero, successful businessman and thoughtful critic of the Iraq War, to be his Secretary of Defense to rebuild our nation's military power.

All three of these people have been vetted in years of public service and are widely known by the media, the political elite and the business community. Probably the one group that knows them least well will be the young Obama voters who make up the heart and soul of his movement. While there may be some understandable suspicion of these "old white guys" among Obama's true believers, the fact is that in a general election campaign he and his team will need to convince voters that they have the broad experience and knowledge to bring about the changes they believe in.

Sooner rather than later Sen. Obama must challenge McCain's view of U.S. interests in the world and convince general election voters that he has the means and the talent to implement his coherent vision and strategy. And he must buttress himself from attacks that will inevitably challenge his foreign policy bona fides. Who better to do it than an A-team of extremely experienced, competent, and tested professionals?
Suddenly the dynamics would change. It would no longer be the war hero versus the young community organizer and attorney. It would be John McCain and an old view of the world versus Team Obama—the best minds and combined experiences in U.S. politics—advocating Obama's new vision of U.S. political, military and economic interests in the world.

It is not easy making key leadership decisions in the middle of a campaign and asking people to serve in advance of an election. And there are some legal restrictions that would have to be understood and addressed; jobs cannot officially be promised in advance of an election. But Obama could at least get this or another team to say publicly that they would "seriously consider" or "look with interest" on an invitation to be part of the Obama administration.

It is not easy to take bold steps when the Obama campaign is riding a wave of adulation and risks fixing what isn't broken or, more important, upsetting supporters. Yet doing so would not only strengthen Obama's prospects of getting elected, it would be consistent with his message of changing the way Washington works—or doesn't work, as the case may be.

Who do you think Obama should choose for his running mate? What about cabinet posts?

Internet

2008-05-27T22:59:00.003-05:00

Internet

I heard a comedian other night on TV who said we didn't see the internet coming. For example, we never saw Spock on Star Trek saying he would google something right away. I hadn't really thought about this, but some of you who read science fiction might have information about instances where something like the internet was around. I wouldn't know. Was it?

Recent Deaths

2008-05-27T17:50:00.004-05:00

Recent Deaths

Hamilton Jordan died May 20 at 63, a year younger than I am. He was President Jimmy Carter's Chief of Staff, the youngest at 35 to serve in that office.

This article by Eleanor Clift for Newsweek is a tribute to his life. Here are excerpts:

Every election cycle a new crop of political aides emerge as stars, and so it happened that two young Southerners, both barely over 30, appeared as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, the ultimate in what passed for cool 30 years ago. Irreverent and wisecracking, the two Georgians, Hamilton Jordan and Jody Powell, provided a welcome contrast to Jimmy Carter's straitlaced image, yet they were so close to the president that those of us who covered the White House knew that talking to Ham or Jody was like talking to Jimmy himself.

Hamilton Jordan died at his home in Atlanta on Tuesday. He was 63 and had fought six different cancers since first being diagnosed with lymphoma in 1984, a cancer he believed was the result of his having been exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He didn't have to go to Vietnam. The military declared him medically ineligible because he had flat feet, but he went anyway as a volunteer with an international refugee organization. I didn't realize at the time how much that said about him. His time in Washington was rocky. He was an outsider and he had a chip on his shoulder. "I expected they'd knock the chip off, but I didn't think they'd take my whole shoulder with it," he once said.

Jordan's disillusionment with Washington was profound. Unlike so many White House aides, he left and never came back, flirting instead with third-party politics. He was a co-chair of Ross Perot's campaign in 1992, and last year he wrote one of his groundbreaking memos sketching out the forces in society making 2008 the perfect year for a third-party presidential bid. But with the two major parties gravitating toward reform-minded candidates in John McCain and Barack Obama, Jordan told the Atlanta Press Club in March that he thought the oxygen for an independent candidacy was gone, relegating Unity '08, a group he helped create, to the sidelines. (To read a piece Jordan recently wrote for Newsweek.com analyzing the Obama campaign, click here.)

Jordan spent much of his time counseling fellow cancer patients, and his memoir, published in 2001, is titled "No Such Thing as a Bad Day." Together with his second wife, Dorothy, a pediatric nurse, he founded a camp for children with cancer. Like the president he served, Jordan's life after the White House defined him more than the four years he spent in Washington.

Sydney Pollack, director and actor, died May 26 at 73, also of cancer. He had worked with seemingly every A-list star in the business, from Robert Mitchum to Al Pacino. But Pollack collaborated with Robert Redford more than any other — seven films, including Out of Africa, The Way We Were, Three Days of the Condor, and The Electric Horseman. He directed and had a role in Tootsie. This is from rediff.com: "Just last year, the filmmaker played Marty Bach opposite George Clooney in Michael Clayton. Besides acting in it, Pollack also co-produced the film, which received seven Oscar nominations, and a best actor nod for Clooney."

Blogness

2008-05-27T14:31:00.006-05:00

Blogness

I thought about changing templates for my blog because I like some of the features on the new ones; however, I have added so much stuff to this one that I dare not even consider it. What I might try is to fiddle with the html on my template to get the archives to have titles on them the way some of yours are. Wish me luck because I've messed things up with these attempts before and had to call in help from Alistair (Scaryduck). He's my blog mentor. Ariel was when I first began, but I don't think she reads it any more.

Later .... I did it! Don't think I knew what I was doing, though. I have another blog I've never posted on, so I changed its template to one that had that on it, went to both templates, copied & pasted on another page, and then changed it on this one. Somehow it worked.

Improvement

2008-05-26T22:57:00.004-05:00

Improvement
I seem to have turned a corner and feel much better. I'll do what I can to keep it going.